4

In Deadpool & Wolverine (2024), there's a scene where Deadpool meets Gambit. In true Deadpool fashion, Deadpool cracks a joke, saying Gambit "looks like the superhero version of Hawkeye."

Deadpool: And who's this succulent reminder of my own inadequacies? Look at you. You look like the superhero version of Hawkeye.

This joke left me a bit puzzled, as Gambit and the MCU's Hawkeye don't share any obvious similarities in terms of their appearance or abilities, besides both having the color purple incorporated into their costumes.

Just because they both wear purple, does that make Gambit the "superhero version" of Hawkeye? After all, they are both established superheroes in their own right, and the movie and TV show versions of Hawkeye have arguably undertaken more superheroics than the movie and TV show versions of Gambit.

What's Deadpool getting at here? Is Deadpool taking a playful jab at Hawkeye, suggesting he's not quite superhero material? If so, where does this idea come from? Or is there some other connection between these characters that I'm missing?

Improve this question
7
  • 1
    I think it was the purple outfit...no?
    – Paulie_D
    Commented Aug 8 at 9:12
  • 6
    Hawkeye, strictly speaking, doesn't have any superpowers. Gambit however does. Therefore Deadpool may not consider Hawkeye a "real" superhero, making Gambit a "superhero version" of Hawkeye (with powers). Not posting as an answer though, this is just speculation.
    – Tronman
    Commented Aug 8 at 10:09
  • 1
    @Tronman That's interesting; however, I'm not sure Deadpool's joke is necessarily a dig at Hawkeye's lack of superpowers (one could even argue that Hawkeye's unnatural marksmanship is an actual superpower). After all, Batman has no superpowers, and nobody would deny that he's a superhero. One could even argue that Hawkeye has more superpowers than Batman.
    – galacticninja
    Commented Aug 8 at 10:51
  • 1
    Consider: SNL 2012, "Hawkeye Disappoints the Avengers" (feat. Jeremy Renner) -- youtu.be/WUfnQPoJbSc
    – Daniel R. Collins
    Commented Aug 8 at 18:04
  • 1
    Or Renner as Hawkeye on the Tonight Show singing, "Maybe I'm as super as they are" based on his scarf collection, trombone playing, cat's Instagram, etc.: youtu.be/PJkg9B8MgCo
    – Daniel R. Collins
    Commented Aug 8 at 18:12

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
12

Is Deadpool taking a playful jab at Hawkeye, suggesting he's not quite superhero material?

Yes, more or less. Many of Deadpool's one-liners are the style of joke where you repeat a well-worn comment, often a subtle "diss".

If so, where does this idea come from?

Hawkeye was always a bit of an also-ran character when compared with characters with actual super-powers, or who are aliens, or who are magical, or are elite government operatives, or those that have infinite wealth and engineering skills. Out of universe this notion was common enough online for years. There are moments of cast banter during press junkets and other appearances by the actors where this joke was made as well. Examples:

Per CBR, Hawkeye has always been seen this way:

Since his first Avengers team-up, fans have thought that Hawkeye didn't exactly fit in with his superhero teammates. After all, the team is made of super-soldiers, alien beings regarded as gods, and those who have advanced technology to aid them in the fight. Hawkeye has a bow and arrow and his S.H.I.E.L.D. training.

Thus, Hawkeye, the character and the name, has sort of become a punchline. Deadpool titles are expected to have many fourth-wall-breaking moments like this. But we've seen occasional references to this in-universe, now.

For example, there is a scene in Age of Ultron where he makes a throwaway comment about being just a guy with a bow and arrow, unsuitable for a large set piece battle:

Look, the city is flying, we're fighting an army of robots, and I have a bow and arrow. None of this makes sense.

In conclusion, Deadpool's whole oeuvre, at least as played by Reynolds, is to make sure there are plenty of winks that the audience is expected to just get. Hawkeye-is-the-lamest-Avenger is one of those hoary old jokes.

Improve this answer
8
  • 1
    @DanielR.Collins good finds. Added.
    – user180810
    Commented Aug 8 at 18:18
  • 2
    While I agree with your explanation, I wonder why Black Widow is not regarded as being in the same "superhero class" as Hawkeye is. She is also mortal and has not even have a bow+arrow, just her "Red Room" training. But ofc she is female, for many fans that is maybe the best superpower there is. At least she is a reason why Hawkeye shouldn't feel bad about himself. He is not alone in terms of "lacking powers".
    – Antares
    Commented Aug 9 at 12:36
  • 1
    @Antares because she's a femme fatale in a skin-tight catsuit? It's not like these sorts of things follow rules.
    – user180810
    Commented Aug 9 at 14:15
  • 1
    And, I mean, in our world Black Widow is a super-anti-hero. In the way that any media that portrays a super-talented spy and assassin basically shows a person with skills at a level only a tiny percentage of people will ever have. We are told, basically, that she is the best of the best of the best (sir!) and operates at a level few can match. By contrast, regardless of any arguments to the contrary, Hawkeye is a guy who is really really good at archery. In our world he'd bring home gold from the Olympics. Black Widow would bring home heads of despots, and no one would ever know how.
    – user180810
    Commented Aug 9 at 14:27
  • 1
    @Antares additionally black widow is usually played as a spy character, rather than a combatant; when she's in big fights she always seems like it's not where they wants to be. In theory hawkeye could be played the same way, but that doesn't seem to be how it plays out. So maybe black widow gets a pass while he doesn't.
    – Richard Rast
    Commented Aug 9 at 14:27

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge you have read our privacy policy.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.