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Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier was filled with a number of surprises, including appearances from previously established Marvel Cinematic Universe characters. The series, however, also introduced some new characters to the sprawling franchise. This includes the crafty Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played by the always-delightful Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The character popped in to recruit former Captain America John Walker for a yet-to-be-revealed assignment and ultimately gave him the title of U.S. Agent. Many fans likely weren’t expecting to see the character and, now, producer and head writer Malcolm Spellman has shed some light on how she came to be added to the show.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has an interesting history in Marvel Comics, but the espionage agent is not quite known to the general public. This made her inclusion that much more interesting and, according to Malcolm Spellman, it was Marvel Studios that actually suggested using her to fill a need in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier:
That was [Marvel's] suggestion. We wrote a shady-ass CIA character, and Marvel’s like, 'It should be Val.' And one thing I give Marvel credit for, they are fans just like we are. They be knowing certain shit because they geek out. They're like, 'Oh man, what if it was Val?' Then the whole room was like, 'Oh, fuck! Can we do that? Can we use Val?' Then they know they got one. But I think that's why it hit so hard, because she appeared like an Easter egg.
It’s honestly hard to argue with Malcolm Spellman’s recent comments on Everyone Loves A Good Story. Although she was originally set to debut in Black Widow, Val’s reveal was orchestrated well for the show, and having her appear makes sense, especially when you consider that she definitely fits the description of a “shady-ass CIA character.” On top of that, Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a strong casting choice for the role, given that she can play characters that are both questionable and likable.
As of right now, Val’s future in the MCU is uncertain, given that Marvel Studios (in typical fashion) isn’t ready to go into specifics with the public just yet. However, that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating about what might lie ahead for her. She seems to be assembling her own team of “heroes,” which some fans believe could become the Thunderbolts or even the Dark Avengers.
Whatever happens, John Walker actor Wyatt Russell is more than ready to team up with Julia Louis-Dreyfus in a future MCU project. He recently revealed that he doesn’t know what Marvel’s planning, but he’s excited by the possibilities. Let’s hope we get to see more of the woman known as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine sooner rather than later.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is currently streaming on Disney+, which you can sign up for using this link.
