Marvel’s Echo producer Richie Palmer teased an intense but emotional performance by Vincent D’Onofrio as Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin.
“He’s scary. He’s violent. And, like Maya, he can do so much with just the look on his face and he is so intimidating and that’s awesome. But also what I think is great about him being in this show is we got to see a different side of him in terms of his emotionality,” Palmer said in an interview with ComicBook.com ahead of Echo’s release on Disney+.
He continued, “And where he is after being humbled by Maya at the end of Hawkeye. I think he’s a little bit of a changed man when we meet him here. I think it’s exciting to see such a larger-than-life character like Kingpin go through those changes.”
D’Onofrio reprises his role as the infamous Marvel Cinematic Universe crime boss which he played previously for three seasons on Netflix’s Daredevil series from 2015 to 2018. Following Daredevil’s cancellation, the actor was brought back in the season finale of Hawkeye on Disney+ where the Kingpin was revealed to have adopted Maya Lopez/Echo (Alaqua Cox) as a child. The Kingpin was last seen in the closing moments of the episode being held at gunpoint by Echo upon the revelation of the character having murdered her biological father.
As the Kingpin’s presence looms large in Echo and the upcoming Daredevil: Born Again series, reuniting D’Onofrio with star Charlie Cox, Palmer teased a much bigger role for the iconic Marvel villain in future MCU projects. “I think stay tuned to how this show ends and where we see him next,” Palmer said. “As a Kingpin fan myself, that sounds awesome and I know Vincent would love it.”
What is the story of Echo about?
“Streaming exclusively on Disney, the origin story of Echo revisits Maya Lopez, whose ruthless behavior in New York City catches up with her in her hometown,” the official synopsis reads. “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 stars Alaqua Cox alongside D’Onofrio with Charlie Cox making a special appearance as Matt Murdock/Daredevil. Additional cast members include Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, Cody Lightning, and Graham Greene.
Echo releases in its entirety on January 9, 2024, on Hulu and Disney+.
