Celebrity / TV

‘Hawkeye’: Is ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Director Joe Russo’s Daughter Ava Returning as Lila Barton?

With 'Hawkeye' filming, new character announcements have begun. Here's why it looks like Lila Barton (played by Ava Russo) is back.

by Becca Bleznak

Published on December 4, 2020

2 min read

The Disney+ series ‘Hawkeye’ has begun filming

Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld are seen on the set of ‘Hawkeye’ in Chinatown on December 3, 2020, in New York City. | Raymond Hall/GC Images

Though he never received a headlining film, Clint Barton (aka Hawkeye) finally gets his chance to shine in his own Disney+ series. Well, sort of. The project, first announced at San Diego Comic-Con in 2019, will see actor Jeremy Renner pass the mantle to a new hero: Kate Bishop.

Portrayed by Hailee Steinfeld, Kate Bishop’s comic book roots date back to 2005. Hawkeye was initially set for a Fall 2021 release, but delays due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic may have pushed that date back. Filming began in December 2020, at which time Steinfeld’s casting was confirmed.

Clint Barton is the first Avenger with a family

When Clint became part of the Avengers Initiative as it formed in 2012’s The Avengers, little was revealed about him. He and Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) sparked intrigue with discussions of their shared SHIELD history, but it wasn’t until the film’s 2014 sequel that the audience learned more.

In Avengers: Age of Ultron, the heroes need a place to lay low. Barton takes them to his house in the countryside, where all but Black Widow are shocked to learn that not only is he married, but he and his wife, Laura (Linda Cardellini), have two children: Lila and Cooper. At the time, Laura was pregnant with their son, Nathaniel (named for his “Auntie Nat”).

Ava Russo portrayed Lila Barton in ‘Avengers: Endgame’

Ava Russo and Joe Russo attend the ‘Avengers Endgame’ UK Fan Event on April 10, 2019 in London, England. | Dave J Hogan/Getty Images

For most of the Avengers, being a superhero is their life. But Clint’s double duties weigh on him. And after the events of Captain America: Civil War, he quits, taking a deal to protect his family. That’s why he’s absent from Avengers: Infinity War and who he’s with when Thanos snaps his fingers.

Avengers: Endgame begins with the Bartons having a picnic. Clint is working with his daughter, Lila, teaching her archery. But she, along with the rest of his family, disappear due to Thanos’ actions. Lila is portrayed by Ava Russo, daughter of one of the film’s directors, Joe Russo.

Jeremy Renner was spotted with an actor who looks like her

Jeremy Renner is seen on the set of “Hawkeye” on December 04, 2020, in New York City. | Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin/GC Images

While Renner’s involvement in Hawkeye is thought to be limited to a few episodes, he’s been spotted filming across New York City. Following his scenes with Steinfeld on December 3, paparazzi photographed him shooting with two children in tow — presumably Nathaniel and Lila.

Due to COVID-19 precautions, the actors are wearing masks covering whenever their faces are not on camera. But though she isn’t identified as such in the images, it very much looks like young Ava Russo will reprise her role as Lila Barton in at least one episode of Hawkeye.