The Breakfast Club – Interview with Jeremy Renner

Podcast: The Breakfast Club
Host: iHeartPodcasts (DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne Tha God)
Date: October 21, 2025
Guest: Jeremy Renner
Episode Theme:
Jeremy Renner joins The Breakfast Club for an in-depth conversation about the upcoming season of “Mayor of Kingstown,” navigating complicated characters, surviving a near-fatal snowplow accident, reflections on his Marvel tenure, personal growth, and his continuing passion for music.

1. Overview of Episode Theme

The episode features Jeremy Renner in a candid and wide-ranging conversation, delving into his shifts as a performer, his near-death experience and recovery, the new direction of "Mayor of Kingstown," insights into the Marvel universe, and his reflections on family, compassion, and purpose. Renner's vulnerability and directness set a thoughtful and inspiring tone throughout.

2. Key Discussion Points & Insights

A. Season 4 of “Mayor of Kingstown”

• Excitement For The New Season

  • Renner calls this “the best season so far” because the show can now focus on core characters, moving away from scattered subplots.

    "Instead of having a bunch of B and C and D storylines, we can put everybody into the same narrative...more watching a movie type of vibe." (03:40, Jeremy Renner)

• Character Complexity

  • Renner gravitates towards morally ambiguous roles:

    “I think I've even kind of built a career of, like, is he a good guy or a bad guy? You're not quite sure...just like every human being on the planet.” (04:07, Jeremy Renner)

• Exploring Mike McCluskey’s Moral Compass

  • He sees Mike as a selfless figure with a personal moral code, operating in gray areas due to his background but ultimately striving for the greater good.

    “There’s something selfless about Mike McCluskey that I’m attracted to...the intention behind him is always forthright and being selfless.” (05:23, Jeremy Renner)

B. Reflections on Modern America Through “Mayor of Kingstown”

• The Role of Unifiers in a Divided Society

  • Renner compares his character’s unifying efforts to the need for similar figures in America, critiquing the divisive nature of politics.
  • He highlights the need to listen to and understand all people, not just those in power.

    “We need...someone that can kind of grease the wheels on all sides and smooth the edges of people...what's important is to unite us all.” (06:13, Jeremy Renner)

• On Humanity and Compassion

  • Emphasizes applying childhood rules of fairness and kindness (“third grade playground rules”) to society as a whole.

    “Treat people like you want to be treated...if we operate from that accord...it's going to work for all of us.” (09:09, Jeremy Renner)

C. Snowplow Accident and Recovery

• Near-Death Experience & Lessons Learned

  • January 2023 accident: 14,000-pound snowplow, saving his nephew.
  • No regrets, would “do it again”; it deepened his gratitude and focus on love and relationships over all else.

    “I have zero regrets about it. I'd do it again...I learned so many great things and gifts that came from, from dying and coming back.” (11:17, Jeremy Renner)

  • He openly discusses the spiritual aspect, connecting his experience to universal stories of near-death:

    “It’s ultimately...just about love. And it’s the only thing sort of you take with you...Hate only exists on the tails of love because hate burns out...but you can love forever in its perpetuity.” (13:32, Jeremy Renner)

• Family Ties After Trauma

  • Family relationships “deepened immensely” after the accident; strong support network aided recovery.

    “My family is...yeah, we all say yes to each other. I don’t think we’re saying no to each other.” (20:13, Jeremy Renner)

• Getting Back to Work & Facing Physical Limits

  • Returned to set while still recovering, struggling with energy but driven to return to acting and “start working again.”

    “Getting back to work was important to me, even though I really struggled, which I found strange...playing make believe was a little bit more palatable, I suppose, once I healed.” (21:50–23:42, Jeremy Renner)

D. Spirituality and Perspective on Life

• Views on God and Spirituality
  • Grew up with a theologist father, studied many religions; considers himself “godly” but not attached to organized religion.

    “None of that’s ultimately changed outside. I still believe in something that’s like...I don’t know what brought me back.” (23:46, Jeremy Renner)

  • Near-death made him appreciate “purposeful” living and cut away distractions.

    “I just only do things that are very purposeful and very intended. I don’t do anything otherwise.” (25:01, Jeremy Renner)

E. Marvel, Celebrity, Trauma, and Public Perception

• Marvel Salary/Recovery Rumors

  • Clarifies that Marvel did not cut his salary due to the accident, but adjustments were made for physical limitations.

    "If they want to do season two...offered half the amount...But it's going to take a lot of physical work to get back into it." (26:25, Jeremy Renner)

• Speculation On Future Marvel Roles

  • Firmly denies rumors of playing Doomsday in Secret Wars:

    “No. Damn, no.” (27:00, Jeremy Renner)

  • Receptive but relaxed about Marvel bringing in alternate-dimension Hawkeyes.

    "If they want to do that...by all means. I got, I got. I'm pretty busy myself." (27:08, Jeremy Renner)

• Fan Interactions After the Incident

  • Reports a change in public perception: now valued as an overcomer rather than just a celebrity hero, with more meaningful fan interactions:

    “It's less selfies...I'll get people just walk by me and be like, glad you're with us, man...it's something really connective and really human exchange.” (27:45, Jeremy Renner)

• His Former Fan App

  • Created a fan app as an alternative to social media, but discontinued it due to time commitments.

F. Marvel’s Handling of Controversy

• Public Allegations and Corporate Response
  • Renner’s take on why Marvel stood by him while dropping Jonathan Majors is cautiously noncommittal, reflecting on the role of public opinion versus legal process:

    “When did, like, you know, public opinion become more valuable than the actual truth...I think it’s kind of dangerous, if you ask me.” (34:00, Jeremy Renner)

  • On “cancel culture”:

    “That just makes me want to run and hide from...why put yourself out there and do anything for anybody at all?” (34:48, Jeremy Renner)

G. Memorable Marvel Moments and Relationships

• Improvised Lines and Set Memories
  • Reveals that some lines in Avengers: Endgame—like the “go grab your hammer and go fly and talk to him” line—were improvised.

    "It's practically made that one up....With the Rooster Brothers you have certain freedoms...the best line can always win." (31:45–32:06, Jeremy Renner)

  • Fond reflection on the camaraderie among actors.

    “It worked out...I got really great friendships out of the deal...really great value in my life.” (31:24, Jeremy Renner)

H. Music & Passion Projects

• Continuing with Music
  • Reconfirms that music remains his first love, but his focus now is on health, family, and his foundation.

    “Music always been like number one in my life...just prioritized my time right now and it’s with my family and my daughter, in my health and then my foundation.” (35:17–35:31, Jeremy Renner)

3. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On Moral Complexity:

  "We could do bad behavior, but can still be a good person. Right. These are all just very human sorts of traits and behaviors." (04:07, Jeremy Renner)

• On Surviving Trauma:

  “My legs are all twisted up. You know, it's pretty, it's gnarly, right? I'm like 25% titanium in my body. But if that's the worst of it, like...that's all you got?” (20:48, Jeremy Renner)

• On What Matters Most:

  “I only focus on shared experiences with love and people I care about. And nothing else really matters outside that.” (14:34, Jeremy Renner)

• On Cancel Culture:

  “When did, like, you know, public opinion become more valuable than the actual truth or real, you know, anything on any situation?” (34:00, Jeremy Renner)

• On Returning After the Accident:

  “They said I wouldn't [walk again]....I'm doing better than I thought I would, but I wanted to kind of get back in the world and start working again.” (21:59, Jeremy Renner)

4. Timestamps for Important Segments

• Mayor of Kingstown S4 Preview: 03:18–04:46
• Portraying Moral Complexity: 04:46–06:02
• On the Value of Compassion: 08:41–09:46
• Snowplow Accident Story: 10:53–14:34
• Spiritual Revelations: 23:42–25:01
• Marvel & Salary Rumors: 26:16–27:20
• Fan Interactions & App: 27:45–30:03
• Improvised Marvel Lines: 31:32–32:23
• Marvel & Public Allegations: 33:02–35:08
• On Music Passion: 35:17–35:49

5. Summary Tone & Notable Takeaways

Jeremy Renner’s appearance is marked by humility, self-effacing humor, and a persistent focus on deeper human values—compassion, family, and self-awareness. He is pragmatic yet philosophical about fame, trauma, and the burden of public perception. His journey—from action hero to survivor—gives a natural, raw weight to his reflections, making this a standout, inspiring listen for fans and newcomers alike.

Listen to this episode for:

• An honest, moving account of trauma and recovery from a Hollywood A-lister
• Insights into juggling blockbuster roles with real life challenges
• Thoughts on fandom, fame, and cultural shifts in media
• Jeremy Renner’s humane perspective on love, service, and self-realization

Season 4 of “Mayor of Kingstown” premieres October 26 on Paramount+.