Jeremy Renner near deal to join Marvel's 'Avengers'
By Borys Kit and Zorianna Kit
Jeremy Renner is in final negotiations to join "The Avengers," Marvel Studios' big-screen take on its superhero team that's being directed by Joss Whedon.
Renner will play the bow-and-arrow-carrying hero Hawkeye, who, while not one of the initial members of the team when it was created in the 1960s, became an integral member soon after when the misguided villain switched sides.
Renner will join Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man/Tony Stark, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Chris Evans as Captain America, Scarlett Johansson as the Black Widow, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury and Don Cheadle as War Machine.
The Hulk may also be a character in the movie, but at this stage, there is no deal that would bring back Ed Norton, who starred as the emerald giant in 2008's "The Incredible Hulk."
Renner's involvement was initially rumored last fall, although the actor, who was in the middle of the awards derby with his war thriller "The Hurt Locker," was at the time more taken with Paul Thomas Anderson's untitled drama and was being heavily courted by Universal for "Battleship."
Renner never joined "Battleship," and while he still has definite interest in Anderson's film, that project is still cobbling financing and has seen its start pushed back several times.
Renner saw a chance to take on work in a role that, while key, is not starring in nature and will allow him to slide into Anderson's film if it should come together.
To keep costs manageable for the "Avengers," Marvel is trying to keep a lid on the movie's finances and the actors are taking salary cuts, according to insiders.
Renner, repped by CAA and Untitled Entertainment, next appears in Ben Affleck's "The Town."
Marvel did not confirm that Renner is in negotiations.
