Jeremy Renner Says ‘I Don’t Have the Energy’ to Play Complex, ‘Challenging’ Characters Since His Near-Death Experience

Jeremy Renner is back and doing well, starring in Season 3 of Paramount+’s “Mayor of Kingstown.” But the two-time Oscar nominee admitted that if it weren’t for his comfort with the role of Mike McLusky, playing him since 2021, he’d have trouble getting into the headspace required for a good performance.

Since his near-fatal snowplow accident on New Year’s Day 2023, Renner shared that he doesn’t “have the energy” to focus on “challenging” roles since all his energy is going toward the reality of his recovery.

“I just don’t have the energy for it. I don’t have the fuel,” Renner told “Smartless” podcast hosts Will Arnett, Jason Bateman and Sean Hayes on Monday’s episode.