Avengers Infinity War: Directors ‘received DEATH THREATS’ over Hawkeye absence

The character was noticeably missing from all promotional materials for the Marvel blockbuster, and then failed to show up at all in the finished product.

Renner is confirmed to be popping up in next year’s Avengers 4, but directors Joe and Anthony Russo have seemingly already faced a lot of wrath.

Asked by USA Today about his reaction to people getting so worried about his on-screen alias, he said: “It’s a nice feeling, I suppose.

“I think the Russo brothers got way too many death threats. I’m like, ‘wow, dude, that’s intense. I’m sorry!’”

Pressed on Avengers 4, it’s no surprise that Renner kept his cards close to his chest.

“Everybody’s got to bite their tongue,” he admitted.

“But if you like Infinity War, there’s some stuff to come. What I do know is it’s going to be awesome.”

Joining him in the next movie will be Brie Larson, who plays Captain Marvel, and Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly as Ant-Man and The Wasp respectively.

The film will presumably pick up in the aftermath of several characters turning to ash thanks to Thanos and The Snap – and the Russos have hinted that the deaths are more permanent than fans are currently assuming.

“Here’s the thing, I think it’s important to remember anything is possible in the MCU [Marvel Cinematic Universe],” Anthony Russo told Huffington Post.

“Just because there’s a sequel on the books doesn’t mean… people become accustomed to time moving linearly in the MCU. That doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.

“There’s a lot of very inventive ways of where the story can go from here.”

Joe Russo pointed out that the previously-announced sequel could take place before Infinity War – like, for example, this summer’s Ant-Man and the Wasp, and next March’s Captain Marvel.

“There’s four years between Guardians 2 and Infinity War,” he said. “That’s a long time, and a lot of Guardians stories to tell.

“Again, as Anthony said, don’t expect everything to move forward in a linear fashion in the Marvel universe.”