After decades of the same superhero story, it’s now time for Marvel to lean into something different and far more engaging. Following last month’s theatrical release The Marvels, where the film struggled mightily, it’s high time for Marvel Studios to focus on captivating storylines and projects like Echo.
Slated to release as the first new Marvel series of 2024, Sydney Freeland’s Echo is said to lean into violence and explore the meaning of family. This street-level superhero series featuring Alaqua Cox is further making headlines for exploring one thing that’s “never been seen before on film”.
MCU Will Face a Surprise Change of Tone With Echo
Currently, the once-dominant superhero franchise of Marvel is struggling mightily to hold onto its loyal fanbase. Despite releasing back-to-back superhero flicks, the MCU is failing to keep up with modern audiences and their needs. It became painfully visible after The Marvels turned into the worst box office performance for the franchise.
Thus, now seems the perfect time for Marvel to tap into something different and far more engaging like the upcoming potential show Echo. Slated to release as the first new Marvel series of 2024, Sydney Freeland’s television miniseries is preparing to do things differently. Leaning more into violence, the show is said to change the trajectory of MCU.
Starring Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez, who previously made her Marvel debut with Hawkeye, Sydney Freeland’s Echo will narrate the story of Maya’s family and her Native American community. But, certainly, the sudden change of tone might work wonders for MCU, especially since its same old superhero flicks are failing miserably.
Director Has No Plans for Alaqua Cox’s Redemption
Trying something new at this point might be the only option left for Marvel, and director Sydney Freeland appears to be taking advantage of that very thing. Discussing her plans with EW, Freeland noted, Echo won’t just be a story of happy reunions, but will also feature a lot of awesome actions with Alaqua Cox.
“Because we’re dealing with a story that is more street-level, it is a little more grounded and a little more visceral. We’re leaning into the TV-MA aspect of it… One of the big things when I first came on was talking to Marvel and saying, ‘Well, she’s a villain in Hawkeye, and to me, that’s the most interesting thing about her.’ And their response was, ‘Let’s lean into that, let’s explore that.’”
Therefore tapping into Alaqua Cox’s cutthroat character of Maya Lopez, Freeland discussed how the show will explore that ruthless side. Although Maya previously sought revenge against Clint Barton aka Hawkeye for killing her father, only to later learn her father’s death was orchestrated by her mentor, the director claimed to have no plans for Cox’s redemption, in Echo. Maya will thus continue her villain-like personality.
“As we progressed through the production, I had the chance to say, ‘Okay so what if this guy gets his head smashed onto the table, and actually loses a couple of teeth?’ That’s the character and that’s the world: She’s a criminal and she’s a villain, she’s killing people. And the response was, ‘Yeah, let’s try it!’. I’m so excited for people to see what she can do,”
Calling the actress the beating heart of the show, Sydney Freeland claimed to have high expectations of Alaqua Cox and Echo. The upcoming highly anticipated Marvel series will premiere on Tuesday, Jan. 9, on Disney+ and Hulu.
