THOR to Feature Hawkeye Cameo

According to a report posted on thewrap.com, the May 6 release of the Kenneth Branagh directed THOR will feature a cameo  appearance by the Marvel superhero and Avengers co-member Hawkeye. Last summer at Comic Con it was announced that the 2012 Avengers film to be directed by Joss Whedon would include the master archer to be played by THE HURT LOCKER’s Jeremy Renner. In the articles, a source who had seen an early cut of THOR confirmed that Hawkeye is in the film, despite earlier quotes from Renner denying the character’s involvement. It’s speculated that he will introduced in a “tag” scene following the end credits as Samuel L. Jackson’s Nick Fury was at the end of the first IRON MAN film in 2008. It was confirmed that Fury will not be in THOR, while S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Coulson played by Clark Gregg will be featured.

The Hawkeye character has been a part of the Marvel comics universe since the early 1960’s. Introduced in Tales of Suspense #57, Clint Barton was an orphan taken in by a traveling carnival and trained in the art of archery. Inspired by the exploits of Iron Man, he fashioned a blue and purple uniform and adapted the name Hawkeye. After stopping a jewelery store heist, the police mistakenly believe him to be part of the robbery gang. After being saved from capture by Natasha Romanova (AKA The Black Widow, then a Russian “Mata Hari” undercover agent), the smitten Barton aids her in battle against Iron Man. Later Clint clears his name and in The Avengers #16 he becomes part of the super team along with former X-Men villains Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch lead by Captain America. The hot-headed marksman finds a home with the team and in The Avengers #63 temporarily loses his bow and arrows to take one of Dr. Henry Pym’s growth formulas to become the towering hero Goliath for the next 34 issues. Returning to his Hawkeye identity, he later becomes the leader of the West Coast Avengers team and the Thunderbolts. Most recently he was thought to be dead twice(Marvel heroes don’t stay deceased too long), became romantically involved with the super heroine Mockingbird, assumed the persona of Ronin, and temporarily took up the shield of the dead(?) Captain America. That’s a pretty lengthy career for a character dismissed at first as a knock-off of DC Comics’ Green Arrow.

The bowman has also been part of the many Marvel animated shows for TV dating back to the syndicated Marvel Superheroes cartoons in 1966. Most recently Hawkeye as been part of The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes airing on the Disney XD channel.In this incarnation Clint is a full fledged S.H.I.E.L.D. agent until being framed by his partner, The Black Widow. After clearing his name, Hawkeye decides to join the Avengers rather than return to the agency(much to the Hulk’s chagrin).

THOR is a Paramount Pictures release scheduled to open on May 6, 2011. THE AVENGERS is a Walt Disney Pictures release slated to open May 4, 2012.