In January 2023, Jeremy Renner nearly died after being run over by a six-ton snowplow. Since then, his life has changed completely. The actor, known as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, has frankly recounted how he experienced that critical moment and how he feels about being back. In a recent interview, he made it clear that, for a few moments, he didn’t want to return to this world.
On the podcast Let’s Talk Off Camera, Jeremy Renner spoke openly about what he felt after the accident. He said there was a moment when his body practically shut down, and he experienced a sense of peace he’d never known before.
“It’s a great relief, that’s all I can say. It’s the most wonderful peace you can ever feel,” he recounted.
He claimed he didn’t see anything external, but only what was in his mind: his essence, his spirit.
“I didn’t want to go back. I remember they brought me back and I was so upset. I came back and thought, ‘Oh, man!'” the actor said.
Upon regaining consciousness, Renner recalled opening his eyes and seeing his injured body.
“I saw the eye again and was like, ‘Oh, shit… I’m back.’ I saw my legs and thought, ‘That’s going to hurt later,’” he added.
Still, he decided to keep breathing. That moment marked a radical shift in his perspective: now he says he lives on his own terms.
“I’m going to live life my way and for no one else,” he concluded.
What was Jeremy Renner’s accident like?
The accident occurred on January 1, 2023, in Nevada, as the actor tried to stop a snowplow from hitting his nephew. The actor got out of the vehicle without setting the emergency brake, and when he tried to get back in to stop it, he was dragged and crushed by the machine.
The impact was devastating: he suffered more than 30 fractures, a collapsed lung, a punctured liver, severe orthopedic injuries, and massive blood loss. He remained conscious for much of the event and was airlifted to the hospital, where he spent weeks in intensive care and underwent multiple surgeries.
During his rehabilitation, he shared glimpses of his physical and emotional journey. He posted images of his first steps, supported by a walker, and wrote the book “My Next Breath,” in which he recounts how he dealt with the trauma and aftermath of the accident.
Will Jeremy Renner return to the MCU in Avengers: Doomsday?
While Marvel Studios hasn’t officially confirmed his return, Jeremy Renner’s name has come up in conversations surrounding Avengers: Doomsday, a film slated for release on May 1, 2026.
On social media, Robert Downey Jr. posted a photo on his personal Instagram of himself reading Renner’s book along with the caption:
“Long road from the ICU… At least we know how this one ends bro. Love you.”
Renner responded directly, fueling rumours about his return.
However, the actor made it clear that his participation in new projects will depend on fair working conditions. In another interview, Renner revealed that he turned down an offer for the second season of Hawkeye, as he was offered half of the salary he received for the first season.
“Did you think I was half Jeremy just because I got hit?” he said.
He asserted that he didn’t demand a raise, but rather the same pay he’d previously received, and criticised the decision as coming from “penny-pinching accountants.” According to him, the disagreement wasn’t with Marvel directly, but rather with executives focused on cutting costs.
For now, his return as Hawkeye remains uncertain. What is clear is that Jeremy Renner is at a point in his life where he prioritises his well-being above all else. If he returns to the MCU, it will be on his terms.