The newest Disney+ Marvel series Hawkeye quickly drew attention to itself after it premiered and it became a new hit. Not only does it finally give more space to Clint Barton which is something the MCU fans wanted for a long time but it also establishes interesting new characters.
Of course, the most important one is Kate Bishop who will most likely follow in Hawkeye's footsteps. Even though the first season of Hawkeye only has six episodes, it still managed to set up multiple things for the future of the MCU, and could very well influence how the cinematic universe will look from now on.
7 New Hawkeye
Of course, the most obvious thing the show sets up is the new Hawkeye. Since Kate was inspired by Clint when he saved her life during the battle of New York, it's only natural she would walk the same path. The last scene of the sixth episode focuses on Kate coming up with superhero names for herself (all of which Clint rejects) and it ends just when Clint says he has an idea.
All fans will know what the idea is. Kate became the new Hawkeye in the comics, and it's almost guaranteed she will do so in the MCU as well while Clint retires to spend more time with his family.
6 Young Avengers
Most of the original Avengers are either dead (Black Widow, Iron Man), retired (Hawkeye, Captain America), or going on adventures in space (Thor). As such, it's high time for a new team to appear in the MCU, and Kate Bishop as the new Hawkeye could very well be the team's leader.
The most probable answer is the team Young Avengers which could include several young superheroes, such as Kate's Hawkeye, Kamala Khan as Ms. Marvel, Riri Williams as Ironheart, and maybe even Spider-Man. However, there are plenty of young heroes the MCU could introduce and include in the team in the future, just like the comics did.
5 Echo Will Have Her Own Series (And Maybe Become Ronin)
The series has changed Maya Lopez's character a little but the basis stays the same. In the comics, Maya worked for Kingpin until she learned the truth about her father's death and shot Kingpin. She then went on to become Ronin and joined the good side.
Since Maya also discovered the truth and confronted Kingpin in Hawkeye's final episode, it's probable she'll now start a new life path. She could very well join forces with Daredevil who's her ally and also a lover (for a while, anyway) in the comics. Of course, Clint and Kate presumably burned the Ronin suit in the sixth episode's finale but the viewers never actually see it burned so it's possible Echo could be the new Ronin nonetheless.
4 Kingpin Could Come Back
Wilson Fisk's return to the series as the main antagonist behind the scenes was a pleasant surprise for all fans of Kingpin who loved him in Daredevil. Just like in the comics, Maya shot Kingpin after learning the truth about the death of her father for which Fisk was responsible.
However, Kingpin came back in the comics and since the audience didn't see him die in the show either, it's possible he could return there as well. He might appear in Echo's solo series that will premiere sometime in late 2023 or he could transfer to the MCU movies as well since there are never enough excellent antagonists in them.
3 The Return Of Other Netflix Marvel Heroes
Of course, Kingpin isn't the only character from the Netflix Marvel shows who could come back in the MCU. Another strong contender is Daredevil who has already had a brief appearance in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
He could play an even bigger role in Echo's solo show, considering the personal connection they share in the comics where Maya originally wants to kill him but then falls for him. Finally, Jessica Jones could also appear since she and Kate are friends in the comics and Jessica helps Kate solve cases when Kate sets up her own investigating business.
2 The New Friendship
Even if Jessica Jones doesn't work with Kate in the future MCU shows or movies, another person could. Despite the fact that they originally stood against each other, Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova and Kate forged a quick friendship. Even when they were fighting when Yelena went after Clint, determined to kill him, and Kate was protecting her friend and mentor, they still treated each other with respect. That's something rarely seen between a hero and a supposed antagonist in the MCU.
Yelena spared Clint's life in the end, so there's no longer anything standing in the way of her and Kate's friendship. And judging by their clever banter in the show that many fans enjoyed, not seeing more of Kate and Yelena together in the MCU would be a lost opportunity.
1 The Presence Of Street-Level Heroes
No matter how impressive the super-powered Eternals or Shang-Chi are, people with no special powers who become heroes nonetheless are just as important because they're more relatable to the audience.
Hawkeye serves as a promise for the future that even street-level heroes, those who don't save the entire universe but their city or even their street still deserve a place in the MCU. As such, the MCU could bring other non-powered heroes onto the scene and have them join forces with their powered friends or even fly solo.