2024 is the year that the Marvel Cinematic Universe venture beyond its traditional PG-13 boundaries, but before we get to the R-rated Deadpool 3, Marvel Studios will up the ante with its next Disney+ series, the TV-MA rated Hawkeye spinoff Echo.
Set to drop on the streamer in January (with all five episodes debuting at once), Echo has been marketed as “Marvel’s most intense series yet” and during an interview with EW,director and executive producer Sydney Freeland has been talking about how the show will embrace its ‘mature’ rating.
“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,” states Freeland. “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.’”
“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?’,” Freeland continues. “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!’”
We’ll be able to see this new, darker take on the MCU when Echo hits Disney+ on January 9th.
The origin story of Echo revisits Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown. She must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward.
Echo sees Alaqua Cox, Vincent D’Onofrio, and Zahn McClarnon reprising their roles from Hawkeye with Charlie Cox also featuring alongside Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Cody Lightning, and Graham Greene.
Echo is set to premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on January 9th.
