The first trailer for Hawkeye definitely wasn't what we expected, but that's not a bad thing, and this Christmas-set MCU adventure looks like it will effortlessly justify putting the spotlight on Clint Barton in a solo series. He won't be alone, though, because Kate Bishop is joining him!
In terms of plot details, we don't learn a lot about what to expect from the show, but there are some big reveals to be found. This was every bit the teaser, but Marvel Studios knows how to get us talking, and there are enough crumbs here to better explain what Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie have in store for us on November 24.
Between the action and fun dynamic between Clint and Kate, there's a lot you might have missed, but we have you covered with a breakdown of the Hawkeye trailer's key moments and reveals.
There's a lot to get into here with 2021's final MCU series on Disney+, so let's get started...
5. Clint Barton's Hearing Aid
If you're not the biggest Hawkeye fan, then you might not know that he's had issues with his hearing on multiple occasions in the comics. He was initially left 80% deaf due to an injury sustained in a battle with Crossfire, and while that eventually healed, the Clown (a villain we know will appear in this series) later caused serious damage by jamming Clint's arrows into his ears.
A closer look at the Avenger in this early scene with his kids confirms that he's now wearing a hearing aid, which is a big change to his MCU status quo.
This lines up with previous reports about Hawkeye, and could factor into why he passes the mantle to Kate Bishop. Either way, we'd be willing to bet that the damage to Clint's hearing was caused during Avengers: Endgame's final battle, which saw Hawkeye put through the wringer in a big way.
Another deaf hero will factor into the show, but we'll circle back to them a little later!
4. There's No Running From Your Past
With his family dead and gone, Clint took on the mantle of Ronin and started butchering the criminals who had managed to escape Thanos' wrath. It was a concept Avengers: Endgame glossed over, but one this series promises to explore the ramifications of.
Hawkeye's time as Ronin is over now he's been reunited with his family, but someone else has taken over the mantle, and that someone is Kate Bishop. We're not sure what would lead to her heading down the vigilante route, but it's going to put her in the crosshairs of Clint's enemies.
The world at large doesn't appear to know Clint was beneath Ronin's mask, though Val managed to find out (which is how she sent Yelena Belova after her sister's "killer").
One way or another, Clint's past is about to catch up with him in a big way!
3. Big Matt Fraction/David Aja Vibes
Turning to Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye run for inspiration was wise, and there are lots of signs of that in this trailer beyond just the dynamic between Clint and Kate.
Pizza Dog is highlighted, as are the "Tracksuit Draculas." For whatever reason, the Eastern European gangsters take aim at the archer in this series, leading to a fun moment where Clint catches a molotov cocktail and flings it right back at them. They might just have the last laugh, though, as he ends up at their mercy before being "saved" by an eager Kate.
She claims to be the world's greatest archer, but definitely needs a little training.
The biggest nod to the comics, however, might be how beaten up Clint gets as the trailer progresses. Hopefully, he'll wind up being covered in cuts, bruises, bandages, and plasters!
2. Rogers: The Musical
Frustratingly, The Falcon and The Winter Soldier failed to clear up the whereabouts of Steve Rogers after he returned to the MCU's "sacred timeline" as an old man. That was after he'd spent his life with Peggy Carter, but the former Captain America's current status is now unknown.
There have already been rumors that the Statue of Liberty will be changed in Spider-Man: No Way Home to pay homage to Cap (replacing the torch with his shield), but we definitely didn't expect there to be a Broadway musical!
Despite his breaking of the Sokovia Accords in Captain America: Civil War, the world seems to have forgiven Captain America, and this fictional show, Rogers: The Musical, appears to be retelling his story in the MCU. Once again, though, that begs the question of whether he's believed alive or dead.
We're not anticipating Hawkeye to be the series that clears that up, unfortunately.
1. Echo
We expected Maya Lopez to be the one decked out in that Ronin costume, especially as the character has a history with that moniker on the page.
Instead, it's Kate Bishop, and we only get one brief glimpse of Echo here. She doesn't have the handprint on her face, and we don't learn anything about what her role in the series will be. It has been reported that the deaf superhero is getting hero own Disney+ show, though, so expect Hawkeye to set the stage for that in a big way.
Echo's father was murdered by Wilson Fisk, but we'd be willing to put money on Clint being responsible for his demise in the MCU (if nothing else, Maya will believe it was him). The Kingpin is rumored to show up in this series, but there are zero hints of that in this preview.
Maya has the ability to instantly memorize anything and copying the exact movements of anything she has seen (photographic reflexes, much like Taskmaster). Time will tell whether that's the case in the MCU as well.