This article contains spoilers for Hawkeye episode 4.

After already being teased, Hawkeye episode 4 set up the Kingpin even harder. For months, there have been rumors Hawkeye would see Vincent D'Onofrio reprise the role of Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. Kingpin, the villain he played so perfectly in Marvel Television's Daredevil. This is expected to be a rebooted Wilson Fisk, one designed to fit into the MCU's PG-13, Disney+ format rather than Marvel Netflix's more brutal incarnation of the crime boss. Still, he's a much-loved character, and audiences are eager for him to appear.

By now, it's become pretty clear these Kingpin rumors are true. Hawkeye episode 2 introduced Maya Lopez, a.k.a. Echo, and in episode 3 viewers were treated to her backstory, including a reference to Echo's mysterious uncle, apparently a major crime lord, even showing a glimpse of a large hand framed by the cuff of an expensive suit. In the comics, Echo's father worked for Kingpin, but Kingpin secretly had him murdered. Fisk then took the girl under his wing, impressed by her fighting prowess, and trained her as a pawn in his battle against Daredevil. Clearly, the MCU has switched things up a little, with Echo's ire being aimed at Ronin in Hawkeye.

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Hawkeye episode 4 doubled down on the Kingpin references, with Clint calling his wife Laura to reach out to some of his old connections and learn the truth behind shady businessman Jack Duquesne, known as Swordsman in the comics. She swiftly confirmed he's CEO of the Tracksuit Mafia's front company, prompting Clint to ponder; "He's laundering money for the big guy?" As comic book readers will know, "The Big Guy" is a common way of describing the Kingpin - hinting at both his significance in the New York underworld and his massive size (there are rumors D'Onofrio will actually wear a fat suit in Hawkeye, making his Kingpin a little more comic book-accurate).

Kingpin smiling while intertwining his fingers

Hawkeye's Kingpin setup isn't particularly subtle. The show is going out of its way to tease the Wilson Fisk, so much so that any misdirection would probably result in a fierce backlash. In narrative terms, it's the same villain arc other MCU Disney+ TV shows have employed: there's a shadowy force in the background, everybody knows who it is, and viewers tune in each episode wondering if it will be the one where the Kingpin finally makes his debut. Hopefully, Marvel will finally introduce its version of Kingpin in Hawkeye episode 5, ahead of Spider-Man: No Way Home - where Charlie Cox is expected to reprise the role of Daredevil.

It's interesting to speculate whether Clint Barton is the only member of the Barton household to have a history with Kingpin, though. After all, Hawkeye makes the "big guy" comment when talking to Laura, suggesting she knows exactly who he's referring to. Hawkeye episode 4 seemed to hint that Laura had experience in spycraft as well, perhaps meaning Hawkeye met her while working for S.H.I.E.L.D. - in fact, some viewers have speculated Laura Barton is the MCU's Mockingbird. If that is indeed the case, Hawkeye's actions in New York and the attention he's drawing could cause major problems for his family.

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Hawkeye releases new episodes Wednesdays on Disney+.

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