By this point, the Marvel Cinematic Universe has quite a sizable roster of heroes. The finale of Avengers: Endgame is clear and obvious proof of that. Marvel Studios also seems to be making a push for added diversity in the MCU, doing such things as making Sam Wilson the new Captain America following Steve Rogers' retirement.
But being diverse doesn't always mean race. The term can apply to one's physical limitations as well.
RUMOR
Scooper Charles Murphy ( via Murphy's Multiverse ) has brought attention to a recent casting call put out by frequent Marvel Studios casting director Sarah Halley Finn for an upcoming Disney+ show. The call is looking for deaf actresses who is Native American, First Nations, Indigenous or Latinx and also “independent, athletic and bright” to play a character in their 20s.
WHAT THIS MEANS
Given that the casting call specifies that deafness as a requirement for the role, Murphy speculates that Marvel could be looking to bring in the character of Maya Lopez, a.k.a. Echo. In the pages of Marvel comics, Echo was a supporting character to Daredevil. And while Marvel Studios will regain the Daredevil character rights from Netflix by the end of the year, it seems unlikely that they would have any plans for the character this early on.
Perhaps more likely is that Echo would be playing an antagonist on Jeremy Renner's upcoming Hawkeye on Disney+. It's a role she's served in the comics as well, and since Hawkeye might start shooting in the Fall and Finn is sending out calls for an actress now, the stars seem to align in that regard.
Regardless of the role that this character may end up playing in the MCU, it certainly is encouraging to see Marvel broaden audiences' ideas of who can be a hero — especially considering that the character of Makkari in 2021's Eternals film is played by deaf actress, Lauren Ridloff.
