Jeremy Renner, the star known for his role as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently opened up about the profound impact of his near-fatal snow plow accident in 2023 and his subsequent return to acting. Renner shared his experiences on the "Smartless" podcast with hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett, revealing his fears and the challenges he faces as he resumes his career.
Renner's accident in early 2023 left him with severe injuries, including eight broken ribs, broken ankles, a broken leg, and a collapsed lung, among other ailments. Despite the severity of his injuries, Renner made a remarkable recovery and is now stepping back into the acting world. However, the journey has not been easy. Renner described feeling "very terrified" about returning to work, struggling to balance the fictional worlds of his roles with his reality.
"Because I'm to do, like, f*cking fiction? I'm still trying to live in reality, I'm trying to live," Renner said on the podcast. "So it was a hard line for me to cross. It was a big stretch. It was very, very challenging for me mentally to get over that hump."
Renner admitted that he lacks the energy for particularly challenging roles at this stage in his recovery. When discussing his role as Mike McLusky in Paramount's "Mayor of Kingstown," he noted, "I'm in a character that I can do very well and I know the show very well, so it was easy for me to kind of slide back into it. But if it was a very challenging role, I couldn't have taken it."
Renner's dedication to his craft is evident, but he acknowledges the limitations imposed by his recovery. "I have so much fuel to put into this reality, this body, all this stuff. I can't just go play make-believe right now," he explained. "It takes a lot of time to get right here every day just so I can have a positive thought, so I can progress, so I can always keep growing."
The actor's harrowing experience during the Sno-Cat accident has profoundly affected him. Renner recounted how he remained conscious throughout the ordeal, making a choice to survive. "I chose to survive," he said. "That's not gonna kill me, no way. I've lost a lot of flesh and bone in this experience, but I've been refueled and refilled with love and titanium."
Renner's resilience and determination to return to normalcy have been remarkable. His fitness regimen, supervised by trainer Cat Cantella, has been a crucial part of his recovery. Cantella, who trains Renner in his home gym, ensures that he maintains the strength and flexibility necessary for his roles. The actor's commitment to his physical therapy and fitness is a testament to his dedication to his craft and his health.
Renner's return to the screen with "Mayor of Kingstown" has been a significant milestone in his recovery. The show's physically demanding nature has posed challenges, but Renner's perseverance shines through. "That first day this season, they were in a cemetery and it didn't get above 40 degrees. That's when the joints lock up a lot easier," he said. "I was pretty fragile when we started on January 8. We're walking around on ice, and I have no energy. I was falling asleep. But I think it'll be the best season yet because of it."
Renner's reflections on his accident and recovery reveal a man who has faced immense physical and emotional pain but has emerged stronger. His perspective on life and work has shifted, emphasizing the importance of living in reality and cherishing each moment. "I gotta live in real reality here, because these bones and these joints-and I gotta go say fake lines and fake words and pretend to be...what? I got no time to fucking pretend, man!"
