*THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SPOILERS FOR EPISODE FIVE OF The Flacon and The Winter Soldier*
Friday’s penultimate episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier shook any grey areas into distinct black and white. Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes settled their differences to form a heroic duo. Karli and the Flag-Smashers embraced their villainous persona aiming to dismantle the Global Repatriation Council (GRC). And John Walker, divorced of the Captain America title, has plans of his own. These plans may not have come to fruition if not for a surprise cameo that could shape the future of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).
The episode entitled “Truth” revealed a classic Marvel villain, Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by none other than Veep actress, Julia-Louis Dreyfus (Seinfeld, The Old Adventures of New Christine). Her brief appearance with Wyatt Russell’s (DEVS, Lodge 49) Walker following his Senate hearing didn’t reveal much about her character. But her knowledge of the super-soldier serum and approval of his actions alluded to someone opposite of the Avengers’ goals.
According to Vanity Fair, Val – as her MCU iteration hates to be called out loud – has had several aliases and positions throughout comic history. She first appeared as a Russian sleeper agent, suggesting she may have undergone training similar to that of Natasha Romanoff’s Black Widow. Undercover she has parlayed on both sides of the field, from leading an all-female team along with Sharon Carter to being a past lover of Nick Fury.
Her most notable role, cementing her as an archvillain, is helming the moniker of Madame Hydra, according to Vanity Fair. As a high-ranking officer in the nefarious organization, she not only once ruled the city of Madripoor but recruited bad guys to become the Thunderbolts, a team similar to Fury’s Avengers. Given Louis-Dreyfus’ spin on the character, clad in a long leather coat and passing out blank business cards to dejected heroes, this could be Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige’s plan for the character.
According to Vanity Fair, Louis-Dreyfus was originally set to debut in Scarlett Johanson’s (La La Land, Iron Man 2) Black Widow last year before the COVID delays. However, now in this MCU series, her character could matriculate in various ways. Is Allegra de Fontaine the mysterious Power Broker? Will she resurrect remnants of Hydra for a possible second season? Or is she a big bad for the future in Phase 4? As quietly as her role was kept by the Marvel Studios team, we can only wait and see what happens.
The final episode of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier premieres on Friday, April 23 at 3 a.m. ET on Disney+.