SEOUL—Despite a fuss made over his character Hawkeye not appearing in 2018’s “Avengers: Infinity War,” actor Jeremy Renner said it really was not a big deal.

“I can’t think in those terms,” he said. “I feel like you’re always around, you’re always in it. Storytellers know more about the universe. I didn’t know I wasn’t in ‘Infinity War’ until they mentioned it. I just trust what they do. So it had nothing to do with what I had to do.”

Renner thinks of the part this way: “It’s like an engine that moves a car. Every part of that engine needs to operate properly. Otherwise, it does not move. So everyone is like a cog in a wheel. Everyone has to do their part and do it to the best of their ability.”

Renner made his Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) debut in 2011’s “Thor.” Uncredited, he is in the shadows and aims an arrow as he prepares to take out Thor (Chris Hemsworth) if necessary.

Hawkeye got his due as a full-fledged MCU Avengers in 2012’s “The Avengers,” which hinted at a past working relationship with Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). In “Avengers: Age of Ultron,” it was revealed he had a family kept secret to protect them. The trailers for “Endgame” hints that Hawkeye lost his family in the snap, and that he was now running around in Tokyo as the masked hero Ronin. Ronin was indeed the guise that Clint had used back in “New Avengers” # 11 before returning as Hawkeye.

Renner is canny when asked about this Ronin identity. He just said, over and over, “I’m still using a bow and arrow.” There remains a mystery about his role in “Endgame.” Renner is shown being recruited back into action by Black Widow, thus reuniting the original six Avengers from the first “Avengers” movie.

Renner has always characterized Hawkeye as the grounding influence on a team with magic hammers and high-tech armor. He believes Hawkeye brings the team down to earth. “What I love about Clint is that he’s very accessible as a character. You never miss, fine. It’s pretty amazing, right? But it’s more of what makes him a real superhero and people have to think about that. Oh, is he the weakest guy on the team? Or is it his tenacity and strength and heart? Like a lion’s heart. Is that a power? What does that say to your kids? That is a super power. You’re not going to fly around, son. I’m sorry, that’s not going to happen. So what’s the more obtainable superpower? So that’s what I love about it, and I wouldn’t change anything. It’s an amazing message to send to kids.”

Renner is rumored to be returning to the role in a Hawkeye TV show for the upcoming Disney+ streaming service.

In a nearly-decade-long movie journey that parallels the MCU’s own path, Renner knows he had an awesome gig as the resident archer of a team of thunder gods and billionaire heroes. “The cast members are truly my dear, dear friends and even people behind the scenes. When you’re doing something that you love to do in life, you’re lucky when you can do what you love doing with people you love doing it with. You’ve already gone to heaven. It’s a beautiful, beautiful place to be.” —RUEL S. DE VERA