‘Hawkeye’: Who Plays Kingpin in the MCU and Does He Appear in Episode 5?
Before Hawkeye premiered on Disney+, fans of the Marvel Cinematic Universe speculated that Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, may appear in the show. In the comic books, Fisk is Maya Lopez’s adoptive father. And since Maya is in Hawkeye, fans assumed that Kingpin might be too. It wasn’t until episode 3 that fans were confident that the notorious Marvel villain would show up at some point. So, did Kingpin finally appear in Hawkeye Episode 5?
[Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from Hawkeye Episode 5.]
‘Hawkeye’ Episode 5 ended with a large reveal in the form of Kingpin
It’s a good day for fans of the Netflix Marvel series. Fans were devastated after the streaming service canceled Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and The Punisher due to contractual agreements with Disney. And ever since, many have called upon Marvel Studios to revive the shows on Disney+ or incorporate their characters into different MCU projects.
Well, almost three years after Daredevil ended, Marvel has finally granted fans’ wishes. Kingpin, who Vincent D’Onofrio originally played in the Netflix series, has returned to the MCU.
Hopefully, Kingpin’s appearance in Hawkeye Episode 5 is only the beginning of the Marvel Netflix actors reprising their roles. But, for now, we can appreciate that the fan-favorite villain is back and up to no good.
Eleanor Bishop is working with Kingpin in ‘Hawkeye’ Episode 5
Hawkeye teased that Maya had an uncle back in episode 3 when they showed his hand pinching young Maya’s cheek and laughing. The show has continued to drop clues regarding his identity and role in the Tracksuit Mafia. But now, thanks to Hawkeye Episode 5, we know for sure that Kingpin is Maya’s uncle. And, apparently, he’s working with Eleanor Bishop.
A lot of new information came to light during the penultimate hour. Clint informed Maya that her boss, who we now know is Kingpin, was behind the killing of her father. And from the looks of it, Kazi was also in on the plan.
As for Kate’s family, Kate told her mother about her findings regarding Jack’s involvement with the Tracksuit Mafia. Eleanor then informed the police and got Jack arrested. However, we have reason to believe that Eleanor framed Jack because she is working with the Tracksuit Mafia.
Yelena Belova followed Eleanor at the end of Hawkeye Episode 5 and found her with Kingpin. She texted a picture to Kate and told her that Eleanor was the one who hired Yelena to kill Clint Barton. Now, we just need to find out who the Rolex watch belongs to, and all the mysteries will be solved.
Vincent D’Onofrio played the fan-favorite villain in ‘Daredevil’
The last time fans saw Kingpin, played by Vincent D’Onofrio, in the MCU before Hawkeye Episode 5 was in the series finale of Daredevil. Matt Murdock finally defeated the villain and sent him to prison. And sometime in the years since then, Kingpin got out of jail and rose to power with the Tracksuit Mafia.
In 2020, D’Onofrio discussed if he would ever return to play Kingpin in the MCU with ComicBook.com.
“I feel very close to that character,” he said. “I do have to say, I do feel like that character is mine, and it’s only because I played him for those three seasons and was so close with him.”
D’Onofrio continued, “I do feel very close to that character just for like nostalgia and just connected to that character through my performance. So I think that any offer to play him again would be, I would definitely have a really good look at for sure.”
Hawkeye Episode 5, featuring Vincent D’Onofrio as Kingpin, is now streaming on Disney+.
