Draft:Maya Lopez (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

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.

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

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

Adaptation
In June 2020, Marvel Studios was looking for an actress to portray a character named "Malia" in a future Disney+ television series. The production company wanted a deaf Native American woman for the role. It was rumored "Malia" was secretly referring to the character of Maya Lopez.

In December 2020, it was announced the character of Maya Lopez would appear in the miniseries Hawkeye, portrayed by Alaqua Cox. On the set of the show, actors Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfield used American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with Cox. 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." Marvel Studios also hired deaf consultants and interpreters, who invented new terms in ASL to refer to characters from the MCU.

The production company later decided to create a spin-off series centered on Maya Lopez after being impressed by the performance of Alaqua Cox in Hawkeye. The actress was not informed about the project until midway through Hawkeye 's shoot. She had to wear a vibration device controlled by an interpreter on the set of Echo to know when other actors were done saying their lines.

Casting
Alaqua Cox was encouraged by several of her friends to audition for the role of Maya Lopez despite being skeptical at first. She believed she would not be chosen to portray Maya Lopez but sent a self tape nonetheless to MCU's main casting director Sarah Finn in 2020. She went through a an audition process a few months later. Cox received a text from a Marvel agent several months later who asked her to log onto Zoom for a meeting. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige appeared during the call and told Cox she earned the part.

Characterization
Actress Alaqua Cox discussed the depiction of Maya Lopez in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), stating, "The deaf community is in huge support of this role because they want to see deaf people represented in these deaf roles. Most of the time it's hearing people that take these roles, but finally authentic representation is here." Richie Palmer, one of the executive producers of Echo, said, "Maya Lopez is the character that resisted this connection to her past and her ancestors. And the second she goes to her hometown, she starts feeling all these things that she hasn’t felt since she was a kid. And at first, I believe she’s resistant to it, but she lets it in over the course of the show. And from there, some real powers develop."

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

Early life
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
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
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
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
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
In comic books, Maya Lopez is depicted as part of Blackfeet Nation, an indigenous tribe from Montana, but belongs to the Choctaw Nation in Oklahoma in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). She is not portrayed as one of Clint Barton's lovers but is introduced as an antagonist in Hawkeye, with Barton also being known as Ronin, despite Lopez taking the codename before him in the comics. The character does not face Kate Bishop either as she does in the miniseries, as the two characters barely interact in the Marvel Universe. Her skills are different from her comic book counterpart. Lopez does not demonstrate supernatural abilities but is a proficient fighter. For instance, she can replicate the fighting abilities of anyone she observes perfectly. The character remains a skilled martial artist and knows how to use weapons, but she also acknowledges that her Choctaw heritage grants her superpowers. She is notably able to call on the strength of her ancestors, can communicate with them, and has the ability to heal mental scars.

Reception
The character of Maya Lopez was praised by various critics. Matt Purslow of IGN stated the character adds complexity to Hawkeye. Kevin Pantoja of Screen Rant said Lopez's backstory made her sympathetic and found the character admirable for being a proud deaf woman. Louise Griffin of Radio Times found Lopez "compelling" enough to justify the creation of Echo, calling her an "interesting" character to focus on. Ethan Anderton of SlashFilm characterized Lopez as "compelling" and "unique," stating her deafness provides a new character perspective not often seen on television across Echo.

For her performance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Alaqua Cox was complimented by multiple critics. Alison Stine of Salon.com described Cox as "stunning" in Hawkeye. Charles Pulliam-Moore of The verge said Cox delivers a "formidable presence" in the show, while stating she brings a more dynamic performance to develop Maya Lopez in Echo. Richard Fink of MovieWeb asserted Cox left an impression in Hawkeye but provides a "great lead performance" in Echo. Adam Barnhardt of ComicBook.com said Cox succeeds to become one with Lopez and is "worthy of applause." Ed Power of The Telegraph found Cox to be an "excellent lead" in the show.

Impact
Alaqua Cox is the first Native American to lead a Marvel television series with the release of Echo. Maya Lopez is the second deaf character introduced in the Marvel Cinematic Universe after Lauren Ridloff's Makkari.

Jamie Jirak of ComicBook.com asserted Cox rose to fame quickly after her appearance in Hawkeye. George Marston of Newsarama stated Maya Lopez gained a breakout popularity after her appearance in Hawkeye. Alexandra Moroca of Comic Book Resources said the strength and determination of Lopez made her a popular character.

In other media

 * In 2021, Netmarble released the Hawkeye incarnation of Maya Lopez in Marvel Future Fight.
 * In 2024, Funko released a Maya Lopez Funko Pop figure based on Echo.