“Despite any preconceived notions we might have, what is possible in Hollywood is limitless”: Sydney Freeland on Echo

If the Marvel Cinematic Universe can sometimes be guilty of reproducing and further entrenching stereotypes with its world of superheroes, new Disney+ show Echo is here to change that. Picking up the tale of Hawkeye (2021) villain Maya Lopez, this tenth small-screen instalment in the MCU follows our antiheroine as she returns to her hometown, where she must face the dark roots of her past, rekindle connections to her Native American heritage and rebuild bonds with her community. 

The series breaks new ground on a variety of fronts, putting front and centre a formidable female protagonist who is also deaf, an amputee and of Native American heritage. These elements are deftly dealt with by director Sydney Freeland, bringing new layers to the character’s back story and incredible action-filled scenes, demonstrating the rich storytelling opportunities available when narrow visions of who can lead a narrative are done away with. The full potential of Alaqua Cox is realised on screen as she reprises her role as Lopez, where her background in MMA allowed her to pull off impressive stunts and the use of American Sign Language on set showed the possibilities for deaf actors on screen, alongside fellow cast members Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal and Devery Jacobs.

The Upcoming had the chance to speak with Freeland who discussed her excitement about jumping on board and the creative process behind this boundary-pushing series, exploring the gritty, street-level side of the MCU. She delved into Lopez’s complex character, the unique challenges of portraying a deaf, indigenous antihero, and praised Cox’s remarkable talent. She further shed light on the cultural nuances that shaped the narrative, collaborating with head writers Marion Dayre and Amy Rardin, and her hope the show will resonate with audiences, offering a fresh perspective on the superhero genre and a celebration of representation and resilience.

Sarah Bradbury

Echo is released on Disney+ on 10^th January 2024.

Watch the trailer for Echo here: