Echo Sets up Wilson Fisk's MCU Future

The Importance of Echo in Wilson Fisk's Arc

Marvel Studios producer Brad Winderbaum teased how Echo will be an important part of Wilson Fisk's arc, setting up his future in the MCU. Fisk was first introduced with the Netflix Daredevil series. He unexpectedly returned in Hawkeye as a major player in New York's criminal underworld, one whom Clint Barton knew of and avoided. Echo will show a different side of Fisk, including his history with Maya as well as the aftermath of being nearly fatally injured. Fisk will be at the center of the highly anticipated Daredevil: Born Again series.

Wilson Fisk's Kingpin and young Maya Lopez walking away in Echo trailer

During an exclusive interview with Screen Rant for Echo, Winderbaum teased the show's importance to Wilson Fisk's story. He describes the series as 'crucial' to Fisk's journey and his future in the MCU. Although he tiptoed around the implication that Wilson Fisk could be the Thanos for Marvel's street-level heroes like Daredevil.

Vincent D'Onofrio's Wilson Fisk comforting Maya Lopez in Echo trailer

Screen Rant: It feels like Wilson Fisk is the Thanos of this street-level corner of the MCU. Is that the case going forward? Is he what we're building towards?

Brad Winderbaum: Oh, man, you kind of hit the nail on the head. I can't say too much. Only that as a chapter in Wilson Fisk's life, this is a crucial one and sets the stage in some remarkable ways for what's coming next.

How Fisk Can Bring Several Marvel Characters Together

Hawkeye set Wilson Fisk up as a major player in New York, but Echo could reveal a much larger operation than anyone expects, especially with the titular character trying to escape his grasp by running to Oklahoma. Wilson Fisk could tie together all the street-level characters connecting— the two Hawkeyes, Echo, Daredevil, the Punisher, and even Spider-Man. Although there have been questions about how the Netflix series fits into the larger MCU canon, Fisk will be at the center of Daredevil's story once again in Daredevil: Born Again.

The Punisher facing Wilson Fisk in Daredevil season 2

Wilson Fisk is the perfect way to not only tie the street-level characters together but potentially set up a new team. Thus far, Marvel has focused on teams like the Avengers and Guardians of the Galaxy, which focus on huge cosmic, planet-wide, or universe-wide threats. Although Wilson Fisk isn't a threat in the same way as Thanos, he introduces a different sort of danger, one that hasn't been as fully explored in the MCU.

Wilson Fisk grabbing Matt Murdock in prison in Daredevil

With Wilson Fisk as the main villain in this corner of the MCU, he sets up a new precedent. This can continue the MCU's interwoven stories, but instead of everything always leading to an Avengers-level threat, it can establish major threats for different heroes. Wilson Fisk may not be a threat to the planet in the way that Thanos was, but his power and corruption run deep, and it will likely take several heroes to take him down and stop his ever-expanding criminal empire. Echo will show a new side of Fisk while also revealing a much larger criminal organization.

Echo aiming a gun at Wilson Fisk's Kingpin in Hawkeye

The Impact of Echo on Wilson Fisk's Future

Echo begins streaming on Disney+ and Hulu on January 9 at 6pm PT.