Marvel Studios' Echo TV series will be rated TV-MA (like Daredevil before it) and it's set to be the first MCU TV series to be released under the new "Marvel Spotlight" banner.
While there have been rumblings about issues behind the scenes, the first trailer impressed fans. Despite talk of "Marvel Spotlight" shows being largely standalone, we anticipate Maya Lopez's story setting the stage for Daredevil: Born Again and more street-level TV shows.
Today, scooper @Cryptic4KQual has shared new intel on how Echo starts and ends, so we'd advise turning away now if you don't want to learn more about what Maya's role will be in the MCU moving forward.
"Echo, returning to her hometown, hides her criminal past while rediscovering her Native-American roots," they explain. "The past resurfaces when Kingpin finds her and reveals the Black Knife Cartel, their former affiliation, is targeting them. Despite their current relationship, Echo and Kingpin must unite for survival."
So, rather than being at odds, it looks like these two will need to team up to take down a common enemy. However, we'd bet on Wilson Fisk using Maya to defeat the people who have set out to take advantage of the weakened Kingpin of Crime after he was gunned down in Hawkeye.
We know Echo will gain superpowers throughout this series, of course, but as for what comes next...well, it doesn't appear as if it will be as standalone as expected.
"The finale unfolds with Echo embarking on a fresh chapter as a private investigator in New York City," the leaker claims. "The concluding scene paves the way for the next phase of her journey, as Daredevil approaches her with a new case, seamlessly transitioning into the narrative of 'Daredevil: Born Again.'"
The five-episode streaming event spotlights Maya Lopez (Alaqua Cox) as she is pursued by Wilson Fisk's (Vincent D'Onofrio) criminal empire. When the journey brings her home, she must confront her own family and legacy.
Echo also stars Chaske Spencer (Wild Indian, The English), Graham Greene (1883, Goliath), Tantoo Cardinal (Killers of the Flower Moon, Stumptown), Devery Jacobs (FX's Reservation Dogs, American Gods), Zahn McClarnon (Dark Winds, FX's Reservation Dogs), Cody Lightning (Hey, Viktor!, Four Sheets to the Wind) and Vincent D’Onofrio (Hawkeye, Godfather of Harlem).
The series is directed by Sydney Freeland (Navajo) and Catriona McKenzie (Gunaikurnai).
All five episodes of Echo will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu on January 10. Check back here soon for more on the series!