The first trailer for Disney+'s Hawkeye series introduced multiple new characters, from Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop to Marvel's answer to the Joker. It also hinted at the return of a beloved character from Marvel's Netflix shows. One other character serves as the intersection between the two.
Fans got a brief glimpse of Alaqua Cox's Echo in Hawkeye's trailer. Echo has gone on to be a hero, and even an Avenger. What might excite fans even more than her presence in the show, or her history, however, is what it might herald. It could mean the appearance of a character she has deep ties to, The Kingpin of Crime, Wilson Fisk.
Echo was introduced in the comics as a love interest/rival for Daredevil with deep ties to his greatest enemy, The Kingpin. After murdering his business associate Willie "Crazy Horse" Lincoln, Fisk honored his last wish and raised his daughter, Maya Lopez, as his own. After displaying her mimicry powers, Fisk began grooming her to be an assassin. He sent her after Daredevil, blaming his arch enemy for her father's murder. She ultimately learned the truth and broke away from Fisk.
Acknowledging those comic book roots, Hawkeye's trailer throws out a color coded homage to Daredevil, during Echo's appearance. The red lighting is a clear homage to the Netflix show, something fans noticed and made a side-by-side comparison of on social media. It didn't escape Cox's attention. She referenced it in her Instagram story after the image started circulating.
While that could just be acknowledging Echo's comic book roots, it's hard to believe someone from Daredevil won't be appearing in Hawkeye. While it will have a lighter tone, Hawkeye is clearly taking the same street level approach to superheroes that Daredevil is such a great example of. A cameo by Matt Murdock would make perfect sense, if he isn't too busy appearing in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
It makes even more sense that Fisk would appear. Vincent D'Onofrio's enthusiasm for reprising his role makes it easy to imagine him being a part of Hawkeye. A timely D'Onofrio Tweet featuring a poem about a three legged dog certainly looks like a reference to Clint Barton's beloved dog Lucky (a.k.a. Pizza Dog). It may be a coincidence, but it wouldn't be a shock if it was a knowing wink to fans that works around any non disclosure agreements he's signed with Disney.
The Matt Fraction/David Aja comics the show is based on features many characters from New York's criminal underworld. Fisk made multiple cameo appearances during that run. He would fit right into the milieu, whether he makes a cameo or winds up being a crucial figure in the Hawkeyes battle with characters like the Tracksuit Draculas, The Clown, and even someone like Madame Masque.
Beyond that, if Echo's spin-off Disney+ series makes it out of development, an appearance from the Kingpin is a must if she's going to retain her comic book origin. Even if Fisk has a cameo appearance in a flashback during Hawkeye, it will establish her backstory in a way that draws in the many Marvel fans dying to see D'Onfrio's take on The Kingpin again. It could also set up a meatier role for him in the Echo series.