Echo, the MCU’s first TV-MA-rated series featuring Alaqua Cox in the eponymous role, premiered on Disney+ recently. Having met moderately favorable reviews, with criticism primarily directed at the pacing and underdeveloped story elements, the undertaking is nothing short of a history-maker. Movies and television programs are at the core of human amusement, often working as vehicles of knowledge and art, informing and educating while entertaining in the same spirit.
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In line with its conscious or subconscious impact, representation in these media has had a history of shying away from portraying what’s beside the Hollywood “norm.” However, strides are being made, and changes have been observed. And Echo (2024) finds itself among the many frontrunners in bringing about such developments. Marking the first time a deaf and indigenous person is leading a Marvel series, the recent MCU initiative has facilitated a history-making milestone.
Even more incredible, though, is the behind-the-scenes work environment that characterized the production. Besides ensuring the star’s usage of ASL on set was accommodated by the cast and crew, Marvel Studios hired deaf people off-the-camera to ensure smooth communication for Cox, enabling her to better prepare for her role.
Cox went on to express how moved she felt by these gestures!
Echo Cast And Crew Taking ASL Classes Made Alaqua Cox Feel Welcomed
During a conversation with Variety, in light of her MCU show’s release, lead actress Alaqua Cox, who had never acted before 2021’s Hawkeye, elaborated on the cast and crew’s efforts to make her feel welcomed during Echo‘s production. The 26-year-old talent, who also underscored the significance of authentic representation of deaf characters in media endeavors in the same interview, revealed how she worked her way around a set with individuals who weren’t deaf.
Cox affirmed that before the filming’s commencement, she suggested to the production, “Just take ASL classes,” and taking classes (on Zoom) they did. While it had been the basics, she was greeted in sign language on set. This dictated the actress’ disposition toward the venture, with her affirming how pleasant the gesture had made her feel. Following was her explanation of the incident:
“Before we started production, I said, ‘Just take ASL classes,’ and they listened. All the cast and crew would go to ASL classes two or three times a week on Zoom. So when I arrived on set, I was greeted with, ‘Hello, how are you?’ in sign. It was the basics, but it was so nice to be able to communicate. It made me feel way more comfortable and welcomed.”
Read more: Marvel’s Echo Changed Maya Lopez’s Powers from the Comics!
In addition to establishing an inviting workplace environment and making Alaqua Cox feel at ease, further measures were taken to support the actress’s usage of ASL to allow for better on-set communication. Three or four ASL interpreters on the set were present to help develop interactions between the actress and the cast and crew otherwise unfamiliar with the language. “We made it work all together,” concluded the Hawkeye star.
Marvel Hired Deaf People To Help Alaqua Cox Prepare For Her Echo Role
During the same interview, the young actress was asked to discuss her approach to embodying the physically demanding and emotionally taxing role of Maya Lopez. Considering Cox’s relative newness as an actor, her approach to the project would highlight her acquired skills and expertise. The actress credited Marvel for supporting her throughout the filming process, which enabled her to navigate the intricacies of her character in Echo.
A personal trainer, acting coach, and ASL consultant, all deaf, were hired to help aid her performance and facilitate face-to-face discussions and learning. The process became streamlined, and the actress could directly communicate without relying too much on interpreters. Alaqua Cox explained in her statement:
“They were able to hire deaf people behind the camera who helped me out. I had an ASL consultant who was deaf on set, and he helped me with the translation of English into ASL of my lines. I also had a deaf acting coach and a deaf personal trainer.”
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She continued:
“I told [Marvel] that I would like to be able to have one-on-one conversations with them instead of going through an interpreter. And they actually made it happen.”
Marvel Studios’ Echo is presently at the forefront of leading the discussions surrounding the vital nature of inclusivity and representation, especially in the entertainment business. Beyond the cooperative and welcoming behind-the-scenes structure that assisted the actress, the premise’s narrative, exploring Maya’s ancestry, heritage, and family, and her convoluted traversing through trauma, presents a compelling character to the audience—one that we, unfortunately, don’t often see authentically represented in mainstream media.
Things are slowly changing, though, and the Cox-led show is proof enough.
Echo, released under the Marvel Spotlight banner, reaped favorable reactions on social media. It currently boasts a 72% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is available for streaming on Disney+.
