In the First 'Hawkeye' Trailer, the MCU Goes Full Hallmark

Photo credit: Disney
Photo credit: Disney
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.
  • Oops!
    Something went wrong.
    Please try again later.

Well folks, if you're part of the longstanding tradition of making fun of Hawkeye for not being nearly as super-powered as his Avengers buddies, then today might be the day you double back on that one.

Because, at long last, we have our first full trailer for Hawkeye. And wouldn't you know it, it seems like the MCU is going full Hallmark, and making the whole thing a happy-go-lucky Christmas story, with the occasional exploding arrow. The preview gives us our first proper look at Hawkeye's story, which will see Clint Barton struggle to escape his past, meet up with Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, and deal with the occasional mercenary—all set to the backdrop of December in New York City. Here's everything we know about Hawkeye so far, including its play-within-a-TV-show: Steve Rogers: The Musical.

When will Hawkeye debut and who will star in it?

Hawkeye will debut on Disney+ on November 24, 2021, a.k.a. Thanksgiving week, so you'll have plenty of time to catch the first episode. The official cast so far includes Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfield, Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James, and Alaqua Cox.

What can we expect from Hawkeye?

According to Variety's initial report about the show, it will be an "adventure series in which Clint Barton, a.k.a. Hawkeye, will pass the torch to Kate Bishop." In Hawkeye, Hailee Steinfeld will play Bishop, who takes up the mantle of Hawkeye after Barton dies in the comics. Steinfeld told Entertainment Tonight that Bishop will be formidable addition to the MCU's always-growing roster of heroes.


“As I’m in the process of developing her, I’m working with some incredible filmmakers that are helping me bring her to life,” Steinfeld said. “I can’t wait for people just to see how we are interpreting this character through the comics. In her own sort of ways, she’s such a badass. There’s no denying that. She’s so smart and witty and quick, and her physical ability to do so many things is through the roof. It’s really tested me, and it’s kept me going through quarantine, I will say, it’s given me a reason to stay with it.”

Judging by the new trailer, the first half of Hawkeye will likely focus on the budding mentor-protege relationship between Barton and Steinfeld, while also giving us an idea of what the Avengers archer has been up to since he helped save the world again. (During holiday season in New York, nonetheless!) Apparently, that includes seeing Steve Rogers: The Musical on Broadway, which looks to be a showtunes-heavy retelling of the Battle of New York seen in 2012's The Avengers. According to Variety, the series is also set to introduce Echo, a.k.a. Maya Lopez—a deaf Native American character who can mimic fighting styles. She's also set to get her own Disney+ spinoff. All of that said, the second half of the season could introduce Lopez and see Belova enter the fray, leading into one big standoff where Bishop finally levels up into a master archer. Phew. Does the fighting ever end?

Want unlimited access to Esquire's Marvel coverage? Join Esquire Select

You Might Also Like