Hawkeye Disney+: Actress Promises Deaf MCU Hero Echo Is 'Badass'

By Russ Milheim Updated:
Jeremy Renner, Hawkeye, Disney Plus, Echo

The next Disney+ show on the docket for Marvel Studios is Hawkeye, which is the first time Clint Barton, an original Avenger, will be getting the spotlight.

The famous archer isn't the only one being introduced to the world. For one, there's Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop, who is set to challenge Clint Barton's skill with a bow and arrow––and also probably his patience. If the trailers are any indication, the dynamic between the two will be one of the standout elements of the show. 

Another huge part of Hawkeye will be Alaqua Cox's Echo, whose character is making her first appearance in the project. The deaf Native American hero is set to be internal to the MCU going forward.

Cox is so confident of her character that she is taking every opportunity to sing Echo's praises.

Alaqua Cox Promises a Badass Echo

Hawkeye Echo
Marvel

Talking with People MagazineHawkeye star Alaqua Cox commented on her rise to the top.

Cox mentioned that that "[she] was a college dropout," yet here she is, with her very first acting role being as a major superhero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Cox also assured fans that her character, Maya Lopez, "is a badass woman," and is both deaf and Native American. 

Her character's history mirrors that of Cox's, who was born deaf on the Menominee Indian Reservation in Wisconsin. To add to that, she's also an amputee with a prosthetic leg––which hasn't stopped her, and it seems like she has nothing but success in front of her.

"It's crazy how much my life has already," the actress exclaims, continuing on to express her excitement "to show what [she] can do."

Echo, Hawkeye, and Cox's Future in the MCU

Alaqua Cox isn't kidding around. Not only will she be making her grand debut this November, but Marvel already has plans for her own spinoff show. Clearly, the powers at be are confident in both Cox as a person, and the character she's bringing to life.

It's funny how there are so many rumors and reports about Echo, yet, officially, the show hasn't been announced. It's one of Marvel's worst-kept secrets, among a few others.

In the comics, Maya Lopez gets taken in by Wilson Fisk. Perhaps by more than coincidence, Fisk is rumored to appear in Hawkeye series and be played by seasoned Kingpin actor Vincent D'Onofrio, who received acclaim for his portrayal of the villain in Netflix's Daredevil.

Up until this point, Maya Lopez hasn't really received much attention from Marvel Comics; all signs point to Alaqua Cox's Echo being another character that Marvel pulls out of relative obscurity to make them A-level heroes on screen.

Fans are just over a month away from seeing Echo finally have her time to shine. November 24 can't get here soon enough.

- In This Article: Echo
Release Date
January 10, 2024
Platform
Actors
Devery Jacobs
- About The Author: Russ Milheim
Russ Milheim is the Industry Relations Coordinator at The Direct. On top of utilizing his expertise on the many corners of today’s entertainment to cover the latest news and theories, he establishes and maintains communication and relations between the outlet and the many studio and talent representatives.