[Editor’s note: The following contains spoilers forThe Falcon and the Winter SoldierEpisode 5.]
The Falcon and the Winter SoldierEpisode 5 featured a big cameo, but not one people were expecting. WhileWandaVisionaddedEvan Petersto the mix, he was still Marvel-adjacent in terms of how he fit into the story. But withThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, we got Emmy-winning legendJulia Louis-Dreyfusmaking her Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as a character named Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine. The scene was brief – she cornered John Walker (Wyatt Russell) after he was dressed down by the government that made him, and essentially said she wants him to come work for her while also revealing she knowsallof his secrets. Louis-Dreyfus was curt, commanding, and a little bit terrifying – all the makings of a great Marvel villain.
So who is Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, how does she fit into the MCU, and why did she show up in the penultimate episode of a Disney+ show? Let’s break it down.
Who Is Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the Comics?
The character of La Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1967, and she instantly made an impact. A member of the Italian jet set, she trained as a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and when she came across Director Nick Fury, the two fell in love. They were lovers for a time, and through most of Marvel’s run Fontaine was a S.H.I.E.L.D. ally. But in the 2009 runSecret Warriors, it’s revealed that Fontaine is actually a Russian mole who infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. In that arc, we learn that Hydra always controlled S.H.I.E.L.D., and Fontaine becomes the villain “Madame Hydra.”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus Was Reportedly Supposed to Make Her MCU Debut in ‘Black Widow’
Having been introduced in literally the second to last episode of the season, many questions still remain as to how Fontaine fits into theFalcon and the Winter Soldierstoryline. ButVanity Fairreports that Louis-Dreyfus was originally supposed to make her MCU debut as Fontaine inBlack Widow, which was going to hit theaters in May 2020 beforeFalcon and the Winter Soldierpremiered in August 2020. The pandemic shifted all of Marvel’s plans, and now Louis-Dreyfus appears first inFalcon and the Winter Soldier.
RELATED:How the MCU Changed Marvel’s Phase 4 Timeline
According to VF, it’s unclear if Louis-Dreyfus will still appear inBlack Widow, but one imagines she shot her scenes for that film already. It’s possible they decided to scrap those scenes and introduce her inFalcon and the Winter Soldierinstead, or it’s also possible that she will still appear inBlack Widow.
How Does Julia Louis-Dreyfus Fit Into the MCU?
If it’s true that Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character was first supposed to be introduced inBlack Widow, a film that findsScarlett Johansson’s character returning to Russia and reconnecting with her past before the events ofAvengers: Infinity War, we may learn that Fontaine has something to do with Natasha Romanoff’s origin story. Given that in the comics she’s a Russian sleeper agent, that would make sense, and would also provide room for the story told inBlack Widowto grow given that Natasha dies inAvengers: Endgame– perhaps Louis-Dreyfus andFlorence Pugh’s Yelena Belova team up in some future MCU project? Or are maybe at odds? But that provides a path for the storyline told inBlack Widowto continue despite Johansson’s absence from future MCU movies and shows.
Vanity Fair also notes there are rumors that Marvel may be building towards introducing the Thunderbolts, which in the comics is a team of reformed supervillains. If that’s the case, Fontaine could certainly be a founding member – perhaps even with Walker at her side.
Is Julia Louis-Dreyfus the Power Broker?
The other big question coming out ofThe Falcon and the Winter SoldierEpisode 5 is, is Julia Louis-Dreyfus the Power Broker? The villain pulling the strings still remains shrouded in mystery as we barrel towards the season finale, and certainly Fontaine has the resources to obtain and dole out the Super Soldier serum as the Power Broker has done. But the show also seems to be hinting that Sharon Carter (Emily VanCamp) could be the Power Broker instead, as she’s been seenliving it up in Madripoorwith substantial resources and security.
We know the Power Broker is after the Flag Smashers for stealing the Super Soldier serum, and we also know the Power Broker controlled the re-production of the Super Soldier serum after the events ofAvengers: Endgame. Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ introduction certainly leaves the impression of a powerful woman, so it’s a solid bet that she hassomethingto do with the Power Broker stuff, if she’s not the Power Broker herself.
Is Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Episode 6?
The last big question is whether Julia Louis-Dreyfus will be inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierfinale. Again, if Vanity Fair’s reporting is correct that she was originally supposed to make her MCU debut inBlack Widow, it’s possible she shot these scenes forFalcon and the Winter Soldierlast fall once filming started up again after the pandemic shutdown, and thus it’s entirely possible they reconceived what was to be herBlack Widowdebut into a two-episode introduction onThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
The fact that she gave John Walker her card and told him to pick up when she called suggests she’ll at least make a vocal appearance in Episode 6, and it’ll be interesting to see how much more we learn about how she fits into the MCU when the finale rolls around. If anything.
For now, we should just be grateful that Julia Louis-Dreyfus is now a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward. And if the MCU does intend to go down the road of a Fontaine/Nick Fury romance, it’s entirely possible Louis-Dreyfus will appear again in Marvel’s plannedSecret InvasionDisney+ series.
KEEP READING:‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’: What Episode 4’s Ending Says About America
