HAWKEYE Star Hailee Steinfeld Admits That She Wasn't Sure She'd Be Able To Play Kate Bishop In The Series

Hailee Steinfeld very nearly missed out on the role of Kate Bishop in Hawkeye thanks to her Dickinson commitments, and the actress has now opened up about joining the MCU in a newly released interview...

By JoshWilding - Jan 08, 2021 01:01 AM EST

Filed Under: Hawkeye

Source: Fandom

Hailee Steinfeld was the only actress Marvel Studios ever appeared to be interested in for Hawkeye; she was certainly the only casting possibility whose name came up online, anyway! Her commitments to Apple TV+'s Dickinson posed the biggest problem, with it thought that contractual obligations prevented her from appearing in another streaming service's content.

Something was obviously worked out behind the scenes, though, as set photos from Hawkeye later confirmed that the Bumblebee star has signed on the dotted line and joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

"It's amazing to finally be able to confirm," Steinfeld told Fandom during a recent interview. "It's such an honor to be playing this role. I'm so, so excited about it! It's so wonderful to be back at work, I feel so grateful." The actress would then go on to admit that even she was unsure it would happen.

"It's been a very crazy year of not knowing if that was gonna happen for a while, so, happy to be back at work and playing this character," she continued, noting that Hawkeye is "going to be really fun" and that "I'm excited for people to see it. I'm excited to see it."

We definitely can't wait to see Hawkeye, and with Kate Bishop likely to be a major player in the MCU moving forward (especially if the Young Avengers are set to assemble in the not too distant future), Marvel Studios couldn't have found a better actress to play her than Hailee Steinfeld.

Click on the "Next" button below to check out the
confirmed and rumoured characters in Hawkeye!

Confirmed: Maya Lopez/Echo (Alaqua Cox)

Grogu-and-the-Mandalorian-Pedro-Pascal-in-Lucasfilm-s-THE-MANDALORIAN-season-two-exclusively-on-Disn

Introduced in the pages of Daredevil, Maya Lopez's father was killed by Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of Crime.

Manipulated by the villain into targeting the Man Without Fear after spending years being trained as an assassin, Echo has photographic reflexes not all that different to Taskmaster's.

One of only a few deaf superheroes, Echo is of Native American descent and was the first Ronin. That ties her to Clint Barton, and it's possible she'll be tasked with killing Hawkeye just as she once was Daredevil. Alaqua Cox is making her debut in Hawkeye, and given her age, it seems likely Echo is a strong contender to join the Young Avengers.

This is a great character, and her unique face paint will hopefully be part of Hawkeye too.

Confirmed: William Lopez (Zahn McClarnon)

Known as Willie "Crazy Horse" Lincoln in the comics, William Lopez is played by Zahn McClarnon in Hawkeye.

The actor is best known for his performances as Police Chief Mathias in Longmire, Hanzee Dent in the second season of Fargo, and Akecheta in the second season of Westworld. He's an incredible acting talent, and is hopefully being given the opportunity to shine by Marvel Studios.

As noted, Lopez was killed by the Kingpin in the comics, and left a bloody handprint on Maya's face in his dying moments. It was with that same dying breath he asked the man who mortally wounded him, Wilson Fisk, to care for his daughter.

How much of this will be explored in Hawkeye is up for debate, but Fisk is unlikely to appear.

Confirmed: Jack Duquesne/Swordsman (Tony Dalton)

Jacques Duquesne, renamed Jack Duquesne for Hawkeye, started his career in the circus. He spent years training Hawkeye to be his protege, but Clint Barton caught him stealing money from their employers and reported his mentor to the police.

Beating Clint half to death, he went on the run and became the mercenary known as Swordsman.

His story arc has been a fascinating one. Starting off his career as a villain, he unsuccessfully attempted to infiltrate the Avengers, only to be exposed. He would later battle them alongside the likes of Egghead, Batroc's Brigade, and the Lethal Legion. Meeting Mantis, he found redemption, and joined the Avengers for real.

Tony Dalton is playing Swordsman in the MCU, and if you've seen his work in Better Call Saul, you'll know that he stands to bring a lot to Hawkeye.

Confirmed: Eleanor Bishop (Vera Farmiga)

The face of New Line's wildly successful Conjuring franchise, Vera Farmiga joining the MCU is a huge get for Marvel Studios. However, it's hard to imagine her only playing Kate Bishop's mother.

Kate comes from a wealthy family, and her mother was believed to be dead for a long time.

Later, it would be revealed that was was alive and directing the activities of her daughter's nemesis, Madame Masque. With that villain rumored to appear in Hawkeye, don't be surprised if the series combines her and Eleanor to create a villain who will up the stakes from a personal level.

Farmiga has also starred in Godzilla: King of the Monsters and Bates Motel.

Confirmed: Kazi/Clown (Fra Fee)

Les Miserables star Fra Fee has been cast as Kazi, a character believed to be Kazimierz Kazimierczak.

Better known as the psychotic Clown, he moved to America after his circus family was killed during an armed conflict. It goes without saying that we're expecting him to be tied to Clint Barton in some way, but either way, this mercenary will pose a serious threat to both Hawkeyes.

The traumas of his past led him down a dark path, and Clown was tasked by the leader of the "Tracksuit Draculas" to kill Clint, and tormented the Avenger by murdering his neighbors.

He's unlikely to be Hawkeye's big bad, but is a villain worth keeping an eye on.

Confirmed: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)

Florence Pugh will make her MCU debut in Black Widow next May, taking on the role of Yelena Belova. Frequently portrayed as a villain in the comics, this version of the character is Natasha Romanoff's "little sister."

Without seeing that delayed film, it's difficult to predict what role she'll play in Hawkeye.

However, with the Disney+ series set in 2025 (the year after Avengers: Endgame), it seems reasonable to assume she's now cemented herself as the new Black Widow. If she's part of General Ross's Thunderbolts, however, her role in the show could be vastly different to that prediction.

It's just nice to know Pugh is sticking around.

Confirmed: Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld)

After months of conflicting reports about whether Hailee Steinfeld would be part of Hawkeye, set photos confirmed this week that the Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse star is playing Clint Barton's new protege, Kate Bishop.

A member of the Young Avengers in the comics who took the Hawkeye mantle for herself after Clint's apparent demise in Avengers Disassembled, Kate later trained alongside the Avenger and a strong bond was formed (albeit one which sees them frequently take shots at each other).

Much more than just a female Hawkeye, Kate is a fantastic character in her own right.

Steinfeld delivered her breakout performance in 2010's True Grit and has earned widespread critical acclaim for her work in Bumblebee and Apple TV+ series Dickinson.

Confirmed: Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner)

It won't shock you to learn that Jeremy Renner is reprising the role of Hawkeye in a series named Hawkeye, but the archer has been enough in recent years to justify this show's existence.

In the five years he spent away from his family, Clint became Ronin and massacred those he felt deserved to die instead of his family. Going down such a dark route won't be easy to bounce back from, and it could explain why he appears to be living in Brooklyn instead of on the farm with his family.

That's not the biggest change Hawkeye looks set to have gone through, though.

Set photos have confirmed that Clint is now wearing hearing aids, an indication that Marvel Studios plans to explore the hero's hearing loss as the comics have in recent years.

Rumored: Mockingbird

Mockingbird made her live-action debut in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., but Adrianne Palicki's stint as Bobbi Morse was short-lived, and a planned spinoff never went anywhere at ABC.

It's been rumored that Clint Barton's ex-wife in the comics will be part of Hawkeye, and if true, it means the character is being rebooted by Marvel Studios. Whether they have a romantic connection now or in the past hasn't been revealed, but it's doubtful they were ever married.

With no mention of Mockingbird in that casting news, it's probably not happening.

However, if we do get to see Bobbi join Clint in Hawkeye, the MCU will have added an important new character who can make an impact in a lot of stories in Phase 4 and beyond.

Rumored: Trickshot

The presence of Swordsman in Hawkeye is a strong indication that Clint Barton's past will be explored. Because of that, it's no great surprise that this anti-hero and occasional villain is expected to appear.

An origin story for the former S.H.I.E.L.D. agent is long overdue, and if so, that is almost certainly going to end up involving Trickshot, Clint's brother.

Clint and Barney grew up in an orphanage together, but later ran away and joined the Carson Carnival of Travelling Wonder as carnival hands. With Clint favored by Swordsman, Barney grew jealous and parted ways with his brother when he joined the Army and later the FBI.

Brainwashed by Baron Zemo after his apparent death, Barney would torment Hawkeye as Trickshot.

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's Ready To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

Recommended For You:

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

DISCLAIMER: ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and... [MORE]

ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

Do you have what it takes to write for us?

Want to contribute?

9 Comments

Kumkani - 1/8/2021, 2:09 AM

I'm personally very happy to have her in the role

JFerguson - 1/8/2021, 2:31 AM

Well she is marvels first choice for a reason. I would have been very disappointed if they couldn’t get her when it was who they already envisioned

BrainySleep - 1/8/2021, 2:57 AM

Love her, so glad she's in this.

Moriakum - 1/8/2021, 3:07 AM

At first glance, I read she was quitting the role.

Reeds2Much - 1/8/2021, 6:57 AM

Someone needs to start asking the real questions, like if the actor playing Lucky is a good boy behind the scenes, and if he enjoys ear scritches.

NinnesMBC - 1/8/2021, 1:34 PM

Looks as if she needed also an escape or reason to be outside and try something new from what I gather of her statements.

Related Headlines

Horror

MCU Stars Hailee Steinfeld & Wunmi Mosaku Join BLACK PANTHER Director Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-Era Vampire Film

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 12:04 PM

Hawkeye

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's "Ready" To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

JoshWilding

Feb 04, 2024 07:02 AM

Hawkeye

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

JoshWilding

Jan 08, 2024 05:01 AM

Related Headlines

Horror

MCU Stars Hailee Steinfeld & Wunmi Mosaku Join BLACK PANTHER Director Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-Era Vampire Film

MarkCassidy

Apr 10, 2024 12:04 PM

Hawkeye

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's "Ready" To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

JoshWilding

Feb 04, 2024 07:02 AM

Hawkeye

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

JoshWilding

Jan 08, 2024 05:01 AM

Hawkeye

HAWKEYE Star Jeremy Renner Details His Road To Recovery A Year After His Life-Threatening Injury

JoshWilding

Jan 02, 2024 05:01 AM

Hawkeye

HAWKEYE Star Jeremy Renner Reveals Upcoming Acting Return Following His Life-Threatening Injury In January

JoshWilding

Dec 29, 2023 05:12 AM

Marvel Studios Now Rumored To Be Developing YOUNG AVENGERS As A Movie

The Marvels

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

5 hours ago

Latest Headlines

No Way Home

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

JoshWilding

4 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

JoshWilding

5 hours ago

Mad Max

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

MarkCassidy

5 hours ago

Sci-Fi

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

JoshWilding

6 hours ago

The Witcher

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

JoshWilding

7 hours ago

Deadpool & Wolverine

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MarkCassidy

7 hours ago

Hot Headlines

119 comments

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

111 comments

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

107 comments

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

92 comments

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

MarkCassidy

1 day ago EST

82 comments

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

More Cartoons & Animated ►

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

More Anime & Manga ►

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

More Horror ►

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not...

More Action Movies & TV ►

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

More Pro Wrestling ►

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

More Sci-Fi & Fantasy ►

More Cartoons & Animated ►

More Anime & Manga ►

More Horror ►

More Action Movies & TV ►

More Pro Wrestling ►

HAWKEYE Star Hailee Steinfeld Admits That She Wasn't Sure She'd Be Able To Play Kate Bishop In The Series

Hailee Steinfeld very nearly missed out on the role of Kate Bishop in Hawkeye thanks to her Dickinson commitments, and the actress has now opened up about joining the MCU in a newly released interview...

Confirmed: Maya Lopez/Echo (Alaqua Cox)

Confirmed: William Lopez (Zahn McClarnon)

Confirmed: Jack Duquesne/Swordsman (Tony Dalton)

Confirmed: Eleanor Bishop (Vera Farmiga)

Confirmed: Kazi/Clown (Fra Fee)

Confirmed: Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh)

Confirmed: Kate Bishop (Hailee Steinfeld)

Confirmed: Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner)

Rumored: Mockingbird

Rumored: Trickshot

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's "Ready" To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

MCU Stars Hailee Steinfeld & Wunmi Mosaku Join BLACK PANTHER Director Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-Era Vampire Film

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's "Ready" To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

MCU Stars Hailee Steinfeld & Wunmi Mosaku Join BLACK PANTHER Director Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-Era Vampire Film

AVENGERS: ENDGAME Star Jeremy Renner Says He's "Ready" To Return As Hawkeye Following 2023 Accident

ECHO Star Vincent D'Onofrio Explains The Kingpin's Survival After The Villain Was Gunned Down In HAWKEYE

HAWKEYE Star Jeremy Renner Details His Road To Recovery A Year After His Life-Threatening Injury

HAWKEYE Star Jeremy Renner Reveals Upcoming Acting Return Following His Life-Threatening Injury In January

Marvel Studios Now Rumored To Be Developing YOUNG AVENGERS As A Movie

Popular Headlines

CAPTAIN AMERICA: BRAVE NEW WORLD Happy Meal Toys Reveal A First Look At MCU’s Take On Red Hulk

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

MCU Rumor Roundup: AVENGERS 5 Shoot Date, X-MEN Synopsis, Natalia Tena's Role, & More - Possible SPOILERS

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

BATMAN v SUPERMAN: DAWN OF JUSTICE Director Zack Snyder FINALLY Explains The Infamous "Martha!" Scene

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME Concept Art Reveals A Surprising New Design For A "Junkyard" Vulture

DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE: Fans Believe Taylor Swift Has Confirmed MCU Role On THE TORTURED POETS DEPARTMENT Album

Anya Taylor-Joy's FURIOSA Is Ready For War On New Total Film Covers

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score (And It's Zack Snyder's Worst-Reviewed Movie Yet)

THE WITCHER Season 5 Will Be The Show's Last As Netflix Rushes To Adapt Andrzej Sapkowski's Final Three Books

DEADPOOL AND WOLVERINE Theatre Standee Gives Us A New Live-Action Look At Logan And Wade Wilson

Hot Headlines

THE FANTASTIC FOUR Rumored To Introduce Norrin Radd Alongside Julia Garner's Silver Surfer

MADAME WEB Star Sydney Sweeney Responds To Producer Who Said "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Leonardo DiCaprio Was In Talks To Play Lex Luthor In BVS; Gave Zack Snyder JUSTICE LEAGUE Idea

SUPERMAN Director James Gunn Shares New Behind-The-Scenes Photo With David Corenswet And Rachel Brosnahan

TRANSFORMERS ONE: Chris Hemsworth And Scarlett Johansson Assemble The Autobots In First Trailer

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

Cartoons & Animated Features

TRANSFORMERS ONE Character Posters Highlight The Movie's Divisive Animation Style

SNOW WHITE Rumored Plot Details May Clear Up Seven Dwarfs/Seven Bandits Confusion

TRANSFORMERS ONE Trailer Reveals The Origins Of Optimus Prime And Megatron

Gaming

Bethesda's Todd Howard On What's Next: ELDER SCROLLS VI, FALLOUT 5, And STARFIELD

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed AND Canceled As Season 5 Is Confirmed To Be The Show's Last

FALLOUT TV Series Renewed For Second Season After Impressive Debut On Prime Video

Anime & Manga

Studio Ghibli's SPIRITED AWAY Is Returning To U.S. Theaters This Month

New AVATAR Movie, AANG: THE LAST AIRBENDER, Delayed To 2026

MY HERO ACADEMIA Season 7 Countdown Kicks Off With Class 1-A Character Visuals

Horror

ABIGAIL Spoilers: Find Out What Happens - And Who Shows Up - In New Horror Comedy

TRAP: First Trailer For M. Night Shyamalan's Latest Spoils The Big Twist

IMMACULATE Star Sydney Sweeney Has Been Slammed By A Hollywood Producer: "She's Not Pretty, She Can't Act"

Action Movies & TV

JAMES BOND: Henry Cavill Isn't Closing The Door On Playing 007; "Maybe I'm Too Old Now. Maybe I'm Not..."

Alex Garland's CIVIL WAR Is The #1 Movie In North America- Opens To $25.7M

THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Adds Four More Actors Including JURASSIC WORLD Star Daniella Pineda

Pro Wrestling & MMA News

The Undertaker Talks Relationship With The Rock Following WRESTLEMANIA Clash As Final Boss Vows Revenge

Damian Priest Reflects On How It Felt To Cash In His Money In The Bank Briefcase At WRESTLEMANIA

AEW EVPs Matt And Nick Jackson, The Young Bucks, Have "No Regrets" After Airing ALL IN Footage

Sci-Fi & Fantasy

FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA Stills Showcase Anya Taylor-Joy's Road Warrior And Chris Hemsworth's Dementus

THE ACOLYTE Has Reportedly Added SUPERGIRL Star David Harewood In A Mystery Role

SNOW WHITE Rumors May Clear Up "Seven Dwarfs" Confusion; Rachel Zegler's Princess Will Be "More Independent"

REBEL MOON - PART TWO: THE SCARGIVER's Rotten Tomatoes Score Has Been Revealed (And It's Not Good)

THE WITCHER Has Been Renewed For A Fifth And FINAL Season; Will Adapt Final THREE Books

REBEL MOON: PART TWO - THE SCARGIVER First Reactions Land Ahead Of Netflix Premiere

Cartoons & Animated Features