Jeremy Renner turned down the chance to play a character many actors would have loved to get their hands on.
The actor, best known as Hawkeye in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, was speaking in a podcast interview with actor Justin Long when he revealed he was offered the role of Hellboy back in 2004 – but turned the Guillermo del Toro film down as he wasn't able to connect with the script.
"I was just reading the script and [thinking] like, 'I don't get this…' I just couldn't connect to it," he said. "I said, 'I can't find a way in [to this character], I don't know what I'd be doing,' so I had to say no."
Renner was quick to point out his choice didn't stem from thinking the film was bad.
He added: "I'm not saying that it's a good or bad movie, it's not about that… I just wouldn't have fit there."
His decision paved the way for Ron Perlman to step in and assume the role that has defined the recent stages of his career.
Stranger Things actor David Harbour also played the role in a critically-panned reboot earlier this year.
Renner will next front his own Hawkeye TV show that's set to debut on new streaming service Disney+ in 2020.
