There’s no doubt that Hawkeye is a holiday story. “Setting it at Christmastime, that clash of family time with business time, it’s a classic combo,” according to director Rhys Thomas. Christmas spirit even embedded the marketing of the Disney+ limited series, including Andy Williams belting out “It’s The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” in the trailer and including the tagline “This holiday season, the best gifts come with a bow.”
Leaning into the holiday story doesn’t mean it’s the first time Marvel Studios has set things at Christmas. That honor belongs to 2013’s Iron Man 3. There’s just one problem with that film. “It came out in the summer,” says Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. “[Hawkeye] is fun because it’s taking place during the holidays.”
Hawkeye isn’t quite 24-style real-time storytelling, it did come from the discussions about a series encompassing a limited time period. “Six episodes, six days. Will Clint make it home for Christmas?” This was “a breath of fresh air” according to Feige, after the more recent entries in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “After world-ending stakes and celestials bursting out of planets and multiverse shenanigans; this is, like Hawkeye himself, a grounded, family-based show.”
While not the first holiday entry into the MCU, we also know it won’t be the last. “I’ve always loved films or shows
or specials that take place over the holiday season,” says Feige. “I think there’s a heightened amount of emotion and a heightened amount of conflict and tension that can occur in this glorious season.” He says Marvel studios has always been looking for festive opportunities, mentioning the one previously announced special. “The Guardians of
the Galaxy Holiday Special, which has literally been in the works for four-for four years, [Hawkeye] has come up and
now come out in that time.”
“We’re talking about a fun, grounded, action Christmas series,” says Feige, when comparing Hawkeye to other Marvel shows on Disney+. “Loki is this very otherworldly thing. The Falcon and The Winter Soldier, geopolitical. And
WandaVision, an ode to-to sitcoms and grief.” Appreciating just how different each entry has been, he continued, “I have always said, nobody will get bored before we at Marvel Studios will of these projects. And going on 20 plus years, I’m not anywhere near bored yet.”
Hawkeye is streaming now on Disney+.
About Hawkeye
Former Avenger Clint Barton has a seemingly simple mission: get back to his family for Christmas. Possible? Maybe with the help of Kate Bishop, a 22-year-old archer with dreams of becoming a Super Hero. The two are forced to work together when a presence from Barton’s past threatens to derail far more than the festive spirit.
Starring Jeremy Renner as Clint Barton/Hawkeye and Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, “Hawkeye” also features Vera Farmiga, Fra Fee, Tony Dalton, Zahn McClarnon, Brian d’Arcy James and newcomer Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez. Helmed by Rhys Thomas and directing duo Bert and Bertie, “Hawkeye” debuts exclusively on Disney+ on November 24, 2021.