Disney debuts deaf Native superhero as ‘woke’ debate swirls
LOS ANGELES – Can a deaf, Native American superhero with a prosthetic leg reinvigorate Disney’s Marvel franchise, just weeks after its CEO appeared to criticize his filmmakers for prioritizing messaging over storytelling?
The new streaming series Echo will certainly test those waters. Set to launch on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday, the show tells the story of Maya Lopez, a tough former villain who returns to her Oklahoma hometown to rediscover her Indigenous roots after a life of crime in New York.
Echo takes a unique approach by incorporating sign language into much of the dialogue, with subtitles making it accessible to all viewers. The filmmakers worked closely with Choctaw Nation leaders to ensure the authenticity of the depiction, even including a flashback to a pre-European contact sporting festival in America.
I’m just so proud to be able to represent a platform that is uplifting voices for Indigenous people… we’re doing it the right way, said Alaqua Cox, the star of Echo who is herself deaf, Indigenous, and an amputee, during a recent press conference.
However, the release of Echo comes at a critical juncture for Disney. The company’s Marvel franchise has seen recent struggles at the box office, with last year marking the first time since 2016 that Disney was not the highest-grossing studio in Hollywood, losing out to Universal.
Simultaneously, Disney has found itself embroiled in the ongoing US culture wars, coming under fire from right-wing commentators and Republican politicians for being too woke in its storytelling. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a presidential hopeful, has specifically targeted Disney for featuring gay and nonbinary characters in recent films like Lightyear and Elemental.
In November, Disney CEO Bob Iger expressed concerns about the growing emphasis on positive messages in the company’s storytelling and stressed the need to prioritize entertainment value. His comments raised questions about the future direction of Disney’s content.
The introduction of Echo serves as a response to these challenges, showcasing a diverse character with a complex background while retaining the entertainment value that Disney seeks to prioritize.
Fans and critics are eager to see how Echo will perform and whether it can breathe new life into the Marvel franchise while also addressing issues of representation and inclusivity.
As the release date approaches, the anticipation is growing. Echo has the potential to captivate audiences with its groundbreaking approach to storytelling and its commitment to uplifting Indigenous voices.
In the midst of a dynamic and often polarizing cultural landscape, Disney’s bold move has the potential to resonate with viewers around the world.
The success of Echo could signal a significant turning point for Disney, demonstrating the power of embracing diversity and providing a platform for traditionally marginalized communities.
With the stage set for a groundbreaking series, all eyes are on Disney and the impact its newest superhero will have on the wider entertainment industry.
Will Echo be the catalyst for change that Disney needs? Only time will tell. But for now, excitement and anticipation are building as audiences eagerly await the debut of this deaf, Native American superhero with a prosthetic leg.
Disney’s Echo premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on Tuesday, promising to deliver a unique and inclusive superhero narrative that challenges conventions and brings diverse voices to the forefront of storytelling.
