‘Hawkeye’ Directors Bert & Bertie Talk Trick Arrows, Introducing Echo & Working On Taika Waititi’s New Show [The Playlist Podcast]

In this episode of The Playlist Podcast directing duo, Bert & Bertie, join to talk about their most recent work on Marvel Studios “Hawkeye.” For those unaware, “Hawkeye” is the new Disney+ series featuring the title character played by Jeremy Renner, who finally is getting the spotlight for his own project. Previously, I spoke to Rhys Thomas, who directs episodes 1, 2, and 6, which is the finale, but crammed in between are episodes from Bert & Bertie, who work on 3, 4, and 5. 

LISTEN: Director Rhys Thomas Talks ‘Hawkeye,’ Working With Marvel Studios, Trying To Get Ant-Man In The Show & More [The Playlist Podcast]

In the interview, we talk about how the duo got the Marvel Studios gig and why “Hawkeye” is the project they resonated with the most. They also talk about Episode 3, titled “Echoes,” which sees the introduction of Maya Lopez, aka Echo, played by newcomer Alaqua Cox. The directors have nothing but incredibly kind words to say about Cox, who perfectly embodies Maya, as she is also Native American and deaf. And they do believe that Cox was able to bring so much more than just great acting to the role.

“Alaqua is great with the emotional intensity that she brought to [‘Hawkeye’],” Bert explained. “I think there are things she naturally and instinctively does that were great leads for us. Where she would look at someone when speaking to them—it wasn’t always the lips or the face, it was body language, as well. So she offered and spoke about when she goes into an environment, she’s clocking different things that we, as just mortal people, we don’t pick up on, that she picks up on—body languages, how people are looking at other people or not looking at other people. Definitely, she gave us a steer on who Maya would be as a character and where her skills of observation would compute that perhaps you layperson doesn’t get.”

Of course, fans of Marvel Comics will be happy to know that Episode 3 also saw the introduction of true trick arrows to Hawkeye’s quiver. And as the filmmakers attest, Marvel Studios was excited to let everyone go wild with the fun additions to the show.

READ MORE: ‘Hawkeye’ Review: Jeremy Renner & Hailee Steinfeld Hit The Target In The Delightful, Joyful Holiday Series

“Kevin [Feige] was great. He goes, ‘Here’s some trick arrows in the script. If you want to come up with some more, we are all ears,’” said Bertie. “And we did end up inventing a couple of the arrows. The schedule was tight for what we wanted to do, and there was a point where we were going to leave the acid arrow out. Maybe the USB arrow was going to end up on the cutting room floor. We kinda went into a big meeting and go, ‘You know what? By shifting this and that and the other, we can keep them all in.’ I’m happy to tell you, all of the arrows we planned for are in the cut.”

And finally, Bert & Bertie tease what they have coming up next, which includes the new Taika Waititi-produced series, “Our Flag Means Death,” which is expected to hit HBO Max early in 2022. 

“We think people are going to love [‘Our Flag Means Death’] as much as they love ‘The Great,’” said Bert. “It’s in that kind of absurd world. It’s going back to doing what we love, but this time with action! There’s a lot of action in it, as well.”

READ MORE: ‘Our Flag Means Death’: Fred Armisen Joins Taika Waititi In HBO Max Pirate Series

Bertie added, “It’s batshit crazy. Again, it’s a wonderful tone and an extraordinary world. You couldn’t make up that story, and in fact, it wasn’t, it’s a true story. But the way David Jenkins and the team have put it together, it’s just a brilliant ride from start to finish. It’s funny but it also has a ton of heart and an incredible cast.”

“Hawkeye” debuts new episodes each Wednesday on Disney+. You can hear the full discussion below:

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