The MCU incarnation of Hawkeye could have looked a lot differently than what audiences eventually saw on screen.
Marvel Studios artist and co-founder of its visual development department, Charlie Wen, posted unused concept art of Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye with a significantly different design.
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Featuring a slightly more armored look and a sizable sidearm, the Avenging Archer also is sporting a black skullcap with telescopic lens to help him aim at faraway targets.
First seen in 2011’s Thor, the MCU’s Clint Barton originally was dressed similarly to other S.H.I.E.L.D. agents before donning his familiar sleeveless outfit for the climactic Battle of New York at the end of 2012’s The Avengers. After wearing a long, deep purple jacket in 2015’s Avengers: Age of Ultron, the character returned to his usual uniform in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War.
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It is unclear how Barton will appear in next year’s Avengers 4 but early reports and leaked promotional artwork hint that the character will return wearing an outfit similar to his one-time comic book counterpart Ronin.
In the meantime, the early concept art offers a very different glimpse at what could have been for the character.