While Barton is best known for being partners-in-crime with the SHIELD superspy Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Marvel fans have, unfortunately, seen the end of her journey. Instead, joining Renner in the series is acclaimed actor Hailee Steinfeld. She will be playing the young archer Kate Bishop, Hawkeye’s witty protege who rejects the eliteness and nonsense that comes with being born into a sleazy, rich family. Together, the two are expected to form a close kinship, despite their large age difference and contrasting personalities.

Based on Matt Fraction’s Hawkeye comicbook run from 2012-2015, the upcoming streaming series should pay a keen interest to the growing friendship of Kate and Clint while also introducing many new, exciting characters, and deep insight into the duos’ personal lives. This had led fans to speculate what’s in store for the expansion of Clint’s character.

Barton’s portrayal in the Marvel comic books has always been quite different from how he’s been shown in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). As many have complained, the MCU has washed away from a lot of drama and adult themes in the screen adaptations, in order to deliver family-friend content. The studio quickly established Clint as a family guy; a reserved agent with a secret family that stays hidden away from danger in a secluded cabin, as shown in Avengers: Age of Ultron.

It has since, alluded to Clint being a solid father figure, attending family meals, and teaching his daughter archery. Clint’s family was also seen to be his weakness, as after they were taken away from him by Thanos, the character found himself on a homicidal rampage. This appears to be something that Marvel Studios wants to continue, given that Barton and his family were seen huddling together during Tony Stark’s funeral in Avengers: Endgame.

But unlike the movie franchise, the multiple Hawkeye installments through Marvel comics didn’t give Clint the easy way out. He was known as a ladies man, romantically linked to a variety of leading women including his close friend Black Widow, the Wasp, and most recently, nurse Linda Carter. While it’s difficult to follow the character’s many story arcs and use them to predict what will happen in the Hawkeye series, it is known that the show is inspired by Fraction’s run.

Fraction famously changed the trajectory of Clint in his 22-issue run. He introduced Clint as a hot mess. In Hawkeye, Vol. 1: My Life As A Weapon, the character was notorious for being forgetful and selfish, he had a self-deprecating sense of humor and a zero-level tolerance for things that make him say “aw no.” This Clint was unhealthily addicted to coffee and had deep ties with the circus. He was also freshly separated from the infamous Bobbi Morse, also known as Mockingbird. Staying true to character, with the ink still fresh on his divorce papers, Clint finds himself hooking up with a mafia member’s wife named Penny.

The Hawkeye series is equipped with everything it needs to introduce Bobbi Morse into the MCU — especially given that the character previously appeared in ABC’s Agents of SHEILD, helmed by Joss Whedon. Although not considered canonical, it has left the character familiar among Marvel viewers.

Throughout the comics, Bobbi and Clint were married and part of the Avengers together. While they eventually suffered through a rocky divorce, future comics tend to favor portraying the two as endlessly pinning over one another, despite the baggage they’ve endured. Bobbi is a fearless fighter, willing to taunt and tease her targets— which occasionally gets her in trouble. Much like Clint, she is a trained, well-traveled spy.

Throughout Hawkeye’s early production process, there were many rumors surrounding the casting of Bobbi. However, further developments have not been leaked or announced, so it’s remained hard for fans to get their hopes up.

Nonetheless, there are multiple ways Marvel can move about introducing the romantic couple in the new series. As mentioned before, Fraction’s Hawkeye was very self-involved despite having the purest intentions. In this nature, Clint’s family may fall neglected and be pushed to the sidelines, which could lead to his wife and children leaving him. There is also a gruesome arc in Ultimates 2 where Laura Barton and her three shared children with Clint were murdered on a black ops mission.

Unfortunately, these bold decisions all boil down to one thing: Whether Marvel Studios is following the route of the beloved comics by trying to revitalize the Hawkeye character and shift him towards a more lighthearted and comedic (albeit, desperately tragic) persona, or if the series is being used to introduce Kate and write-off Clint. The latter would render any sort of dramatic character development useless. Only time will tell.

Hawkeye will premiere November 24 on Disney Plus.

Next: Did Loki Set The Bar Too High For Hawkeye?