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Draft:Maya Lopez (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

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Maya Lopez
Echo
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
First appearance
Based on
Adapted byElisa Climent
Portrayed byAlaqua Cox
In-universe information
AliasEcho
SpeciesHuman
OccupationGangster
AffiliationTracksuit Mafia
FamilyWilliam Lopez (father)
NationalityNative American

Maya Lopez (also known as Echo) is a character portrayed by Alaqua Cox in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise—based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. Lopez is depicted as a deaf Native American martial artist who can perfectly copy another person's movements. She is the commander of the Tracksuit Mafia.[1]

Maya Lopez made her debut in the television series Hawkeye (2021), and starring in her own spin-off miniseries Echo (2024).

Concept and creation

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Background and development

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Maya Lopez debuted in Daredevil #9 (December 1999), created by writer David Mack and artist Joe Quesada.[2] She is a deaf Native American who possesses has the ability to copy the movements of others she observes.[3]

In June 2020, Marvel Studios began searching for an actress to portray a character named "Malia" for an upcoming Disney+ series.[4][5] The production company was seeking a deaf Native American woman for the role.[6] It was rumored that "Malia" was a codename for Maya Lopez.[7][8] By December 2020, it was officially announced that Lopez would appear in the Hawkeye miniseries, portrayed by Alaqua Cox.[9][10] On set, Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfield used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with Cox.[11] The actress commented, "I thought it was sweet of them putting in efforts to learn basic ASL to communicate with me. It means a lot to me as a Deaf person."[12] Marvel Studios also hired deaf consultants and interpreters, even creating new terms in ASL to refer to characters from the MCU.[13]

Following Cox's performance in Hawkeye, Marvel decided to develop a spin-off series centered on Maya Lopez.[14] Cox was informed about the spin-off, Echo, midway through filming Hawkeye.[15] During the production of Echo, Cox used a vibration device controlled by an interpreter to signal when other actors had completed their lines.[16]

Casting

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Alaqua Cox was initially hesitant to audition for the role of Maya Lopez, but her friends encouraged her to give it a try.[17] Despite her doubts, she submitted a self-tape to Marvel's casting director, Sarah Finn, in 2020.[18] She went through a an audition process a few months later.[19] Cox later received a message from a Marvel agent asking her to join a Zoom meeting.[20] During the call, Marvel Studios president, Kevin Feige, appeared during the call and informed her that she had secured the role.[21]

Characterization

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Alaqua Cox expressed her pride in the portrayal of Maya Lopez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, noting the strong support from the deaf community. She emphasized the significance of authentic representation, stating that "most of the time it's hearing people that take these roles, but finally authentic representation is here."[22]

Echo executive producer Richie Palme said that Lopez's journey in the miniseries involves reconciling with her past and her cultural roots. Initially resistant to these connections, Lopez eventually embraces them, which leads to the development of new powers over the course of the show.[23]

Appearances

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Alaqua Cox portrays Maya Lopez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe television series Hawkeye (2021) and Echo (2024).

Fictional character biography

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Early life

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Maya Lopez grew up in the town of Tamaha in the state of Oklahoma. She is the daughter of a deaf mother and the commander of the Tracksuit Mafia William Lopez. Her family used American Sign Language to communicate with her. One day, her mother passed away during a car accident, while Maya Lopez lost her right leg during the crash. After being released from hospital, Lopez and her father left Tamaha and lived in New York City. By reading the lips of her teacher, she managed to study at a regular school. Her father could not allow her to attend a school for deaf people. Lopez also learned karate at the Brooklyn Karate Academy. Every now and then, she spent her time with her "uncle" Wilson Fisk.

Becoming a criminal

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Lopez continues to train and becomes a proficient martial artist through time. One night, she witnesses Ronin murdering her father. She tries to save him, however, her father dies in her arms. Grieving, Lopez becomes angry and acts recklessly, until one night, where Wilson Fisk prevents her from being arrested. He asks her to work for him, which Lopez accepts. While on a mission for Fisk, Lopez encountered and battled Daredevil, who run away during their fight. Under Fisk's orders, she becomes a ruthless killer.

Tracksuit Mafia

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Being the commander of the crime syndicate Tracksuit Mafia, Lopez starts looking for the man who murdered her father. Her gang members mistake Kate Bishop, who is wearing the costume of Ronin, for the murdered of Lopez's father. After Clint Barton and Bishop were capture in the hideout of the Tracksuit Mafia, Lopez acknowledges Bishop cannot be the real Ronin. Barton, Bishop, and Lopez battled, and the two vigilantes manage to escape from the Tracksuit Mafia after a car chase. Lopez fights the duo once again on a rooftop of a building near her apartment, but is electrocuted by Yelena Belova, who attack them. After being hurt during the battle, Lopez runs away.

Facing Ronin

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During the night, Lopez received a text message from Ronin, asking her to come alone to the place where her father passed away. Ronin reveals himself, with Barton explaining he was hired by an informant of Fisk kill her father. She tries to kill Barton but is caught off guard by Bishop, and decides to flee with her motorcycle.

Confronting Fisk

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After her encounter with Barton and Bishop, Lopez understands the informant is her childhood friend and fellow gang member Kazi Kazimierczak who betrayed her. During their face-off, Kazimierczak tries to kill Lopez with an arrow, but she manages to defeat him. She notices Barton observed the scene, who apologizes to her, with Lopez nodding at him. She later confronts Fisk and shoots him. Lopez is convinced Fisk is dead and leave, as those working from him start hunting Lopez.

Differences from the comics

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In comic books, Maya Lopez is depicted as a member of the Blackfeet Nation from Montana, while in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), she is portrayed as belonging to the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma.[24] Unlike in the comics, she is not one of Clint Barton's love interests but is introduced as an antagonist in Hawkeye, where Barton is also known as Ronin, a codename Lopez originally held in the comics.[25] Furthermore, her MCU counterpart diverges from the comics as she faces Kate Bishop, a character with whom she had little interaction in the Marvel Universe.[26]

Lopez’s abilities also differ between the two versions.[27] In comic books, Lopez does not demonstrate supernatural abilities but is a proficient fighter.[28] For instance, she can replicate the fighting abilities of anyone she observes perfectly.[29] In the MCU, her Choctaw heritage is acknowledged as the source of her superpowers.[30] She is notably able to call on the strength of her ancestors, communicate with them, and heal mental scars.[31] Furthermore, her codename, Echo, does not reference Lopez's ability to mimic movements; rather, it emphasizes the idea of her ancestors' strengths resonating through her into the present day.[32]

Reception

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The character of Maya Lopez received praise from various critics.[33] Matt Purslow of IGN highlighted that her addition brings complexity to Hawkeye.[34] Kevin Pantoja of Screen Rant found her backstory sympathetic and admired her as a proud deaf woman.[35] Louise Griffin of Radio Times described Lopez as "compelling" and deemed her interesting enough to warrant the creation of Echo.[36] Ethan Anderton of SlashFilm also her "compelling" and "unique," noting that her deafness offers a fresh perspective rarely depicted on television, particularly in Echo.[37] Laura Hood of The Conversation said Lopez embodies independence and strength and positioned her as a role model for the Deaf and disabled community in the miniseries.[38]

For her performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Alaqua Cox was complimented by multiple critics.[39] Alison Stine of Salon.com described Cox as "stunning" in Hawkeye.[40] Charles Pulliam-Moore of The verge highlighted her "formidable presence" in the show, noting her more dynamic portrayal of Lopez in Echo.[41] Richard Fink of MovieWeb asserted that while Cox made an impression in Hawkeye, she delivers a "great lead performance" in Echo.[42] Ed Power of The Telegraph also commended her as an "excellent lead" in the miniseries.[43] Adam Barnhardt of ComicBook.com stated that Cox seamlessly becomes one with the character, calling her performance "worthy of applause."[44] Cassondra Feltus of Black Girl Nerds noted that Cox delivers a beautifully nuanced performance, portraying Lopez as a culturally rich and formidable character.[45]

Impact

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Alaqua Cox became the first Native American actress to lead a Marvel television series with Echo.[46] Maya Lopez is the second deaf character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, following Lauren Ridloff's Makkari.[47] Kate Nelson of Teen Vogue underlined Cox's significant impact as an actress, emphasizing her role in bringing Indigenous, deaf, and disability representation to television in an unprecedented way.[48] Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com noted that Cox quickly rose to fame after her appearance in Hawkeye.[49] George Marston of Newsarama highlighted Lopez's breakout popularity following Hawkeye.[50] Alexandra Moroca of Comic Book Resources attributed Lopez's appeal to the character's strength and determination.[51]

In other media

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Miscellaneous

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Mendez II, Moises (January 9, 2024). "What to Know Before Watching Marvel's 'Echo'". Time. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  2. ^ Greene, Jules (December 19, 2023). "The Complete Marvel Comics History of Echo, a.k.a. Maya Lopez". Nerdist. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  3. ^ Greene, Jules (January 10, 2024). "Maya Lopez's Powers in ECHO, Explained". Nerdist. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  4. ^ Murphy, Charles (June 18, 2020). "Marvel Studios May Be Casting Their Echo". Murphy's Multiverse. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  5. ^ Gelman, Samuel (June 19, 2020). "BREAKING: RUMOR: Marvel Casting Deaf, Native American Hero for Disney+ Series". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  6. ^ Marnell, Blair (November 22, 2021). "Alaqua Cox Shares the Story of How She Was Cast As Echo In Hawkeye". SuperHeroHype. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  7. ^ Paur, Joey (June 22, 2020). "Marvel Reportedly Looking To Cast The Character Echo For an Upcoming Disney+ Series". GeekTyrant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  8. ^ Mistroff, Michael (June 19, 2020). "Marvel Studios Could Be Casting Daredevil Character Echo For Disney+". Heroic Hollywood. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  9. ^ Hood, Cooper (December 4, 2020). "Hawkeye Show Will Introduce Daredevil Character Echo To The MCU". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  10. ^ Adams, Tim (December 3, 2020). "Disney+'s Hawkeye Casts a Marvel Villain and Two New Avengers". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  11. ^ Riccobon, Giancarlo (December 13, 2021). "The Untold Truth Of Alaqua Cox". Looper. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  12. ^ Gantt, Kareem (December 2, 2021). "'Hawkeye': Jeremy Renner Learned ASL to Welcome Alaqua Cox to the Cast". Collider. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  13. ^ Darwish, Meaghan (December 7, 2021). "'Hawkeye' Directors Bert & Bertie on Bringing Echo to Life Onscreen With Alaqua Cox". TV Insider. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  14. ^ Shaunette, Morgan (November 25, 2021). "Hawkeye's Alaqua Cox Describes Landing Her First-Ever Acting Role as the MCU's Echo". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  15. ^ Couch, Aaron (November 22, 2021). "Next Big Thing: 'Hawkeye' Star Alaqua Cox Prepares for Marvel Stardom". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  16. ^ Davids, Brian (January 19, 2024). "'Echo' Star Alaqua Cox on That Final Kingpin Face-Off and Maya's Surprising Next Step". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  17. ^ Vary, Adam B. (January 10, 2024). "'Echo' Star Alaqua Cox on Marvel Bringing Deaf and Indigenous Representation to the Forefront and Why Acting in ASL Was 'Challenging'". Variety. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  18. ^ Jackson, Leigh-Ann (January 10, 2024). "With 'Echo,' Alaqua Cox Smashes Boundaries, and Bad Guys' Faces". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  19. ^ Dick, Jeremy (January 15, 2024). "Alaqua Cox Shares the Story Behind Her Echo Casting in New TV Interview". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  20. ^ Peris, Sebastian (December 1, 2021). "Alaqua Cox Recalls When She Found Out She Had Been Cast In Hawkeye". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  21. ^ Steiner, Chelsea (November 25, 2021). "Marvel's 'Hawkeye' Introduces Alaqua Cox as Deaf Superhero Echo". The Mary Sue. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  22. ^ Holub, Christian (November 19, 2021). "Alaqua Cox on joining the MCU with her mysterious 'Hawkeye' role". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  23. ^ Lussier, Germain (January 5, 2024). "How Maya's Powers Became One of Echo's Biggest Mysteries". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  24. ^ Young, Kai (January 11, 2024). "10 Biggest Changes Echo Makes From The Marvel Comics". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  25. ^ Levine, Adam (November 7, 2023). "Marvel's Echo: The Untold Truth Of Maya Lopez". Looper. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  26. ^ Garcia, Mayra (December 17, 2021). "Hawkeye: 10 Things About Echo That Are Different From The Comics". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  27. ^ Conlin, Dan (November 7, 2023). "Marvel's Echo TV Show Will Kick Off A Refreshing Change For The MCU". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  28. ^ Johnston, Dais (January 10, 2024). "'Echo' Changed Maya's Powers For One Great Reason". Inverse. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  29. ^ Bradley, Ollie (January 13, 2024). "Echo Retcons Maya Lopez's Powers To Be Something Greater Than The Comics". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  30. ^ Milici, Lauren (January 10, 2024). "Echo's powers explained: what are they and how are they different from the comics?". Newsarama. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  31. ^ Sawan, Amer (January 21, 2024). "What Are Echo's New MCU Powers?". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  32. ^ Schnelbach, Leah (January 16, 2024). "Can Echo Take the Marvel-verse in a New Direction?". Reactor. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  33. ^ Perry, Kevin E G (January 10, 2024). "Echo reviews call new Hawkeye spin-off one of Marvel's 'best shows in years'". The Independent. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  34. ^ Purslow, Matt (December 1, 2021). "Hawkeye Episode 3 Review". IGN. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  35. ^ Pantoja, Kevin (December 23, 2021). "Hawkeye: The Main Characters, Ranked By Likability". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  36. ^ Griffin, Louise (January 10, 2024). "Echo review: Marvel miniseries shouldn't be underestimated". Radio Times. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  37. ^ Anderton, Ethan (January 9, 2024). "Marvel's Echo Review: An Action-Packed Showcase For Alaqua Cox And The Choctaw Nation". SlashFilm. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  38. ^ Buckle, Kevin (January 16, 2024). "Marvel's Echo is a one-of-a-kind superhero – and an inspiration to the Deaf community". The Conversation. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  39. ^ Khan, Rabab (December 10, 2021). "Hawkeye Featurette Shows Alaqua Cox's Journey To Becoming Maya Lopez". Game Rant. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  40. ^ Stine, Alison (December 6, 2021). "What "Hawkeye" gets right about deafness – and what it glosses over". Salon.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  41. ^ Pulliam-Moore, Charles (January 10, 2024). "Echo brings the best of Netflix's Marvel era energy to Disney Plus". The Verge. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  42. ^ Fink, Richard (January 9, 2024). "Echo Review | The MCU Gets a Gritty Crime Drama with a True Anti-Hero". MovieWeb. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  43. ^ Power, Ed (January 10, 2024). "Echo, Disney+: Marvel's creative rut continues with this dour, violent spinoff". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  44. ^ Barnhardt, Adam (January 9, 2024). "Echo Review: One of Marvel's Strongest Disney+ Shows Since WandaVision". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  45. ^ Feltus, Cassondra (January 9, 2024). "Review: Alaqua Cox Delivers Another Beautifully Nuanced and Intense Performance as Maya Lopez in 'Echo'". Black Girl Nerds. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  46. ^ Mangalindan, JP (January 10, 2024). "Alaqua Cox Was Bullied for Being Deaf and an Amputee, Now the Marvel Star Is 'Proud' to Prove She 'Can Do Anything' (Exclusive)". People. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  47. ^ Johnson, Zach (July 13, 2022). "Lauren Ridloff and Alaqua Cox on Deaf Representation in the MCU". D23. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  48. ^ Nelson, Kate (January 18, 2024). "Indigenous Deaf Amputee Alaqua Cox is Breaking Down Hollywood Barriers". Teen Vogue. Retrieved 2024-09-25.
  49. ^ Jirak, Jamie (December 23, 2021). "Hawkeye Star Alaqua Cox Shares Fun Facts About Herself After Finale". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  50. ^ Marston, George (January 8, 2024). "Echo AKA Maya Lopez's Marvel history has a lot to say about her MCU future". Newsarama. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  51. ^ Moroca, Alexandra (January 8, 2022). "Hawkeye: Every Main Character, Ranked By Likability". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 2024-02-09.
  52. ^ Catig, Gary (March 21, 2022). "'Marvel Future Fight' Receives 'Marvel Studios' Hawkeye' Inspired Content". Comicon.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
  53. ^ Fallon, Sean (January 12, 2024). "Marvel's Echo Gets Its First Funko Pops". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-02-08.
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