Far from established MCU figures like Thor, Iron Man, and a certain Captain America, the film Thunderbolts* intends to put in the spotlight characters that we thought we would never see again or, at best, as second fiddlers in other non-dedicated productions. And if the team is made up of women and men of action like Yelena (Florence Pugh), Bucky (Sebastian Stan), and the Red Guardian (David Harbour), we can't avoid the one who was responsible for bringing the gang together all these years: Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, played on screen by the colorful Julia Louis-Dreyfus. And for those who haven't revised, here's a refresher.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine on screen
Valentina's first appearance in the MCU was supposed to be chronologically different. In reality, we were supposed to discover the character during the post-credits scene of Black Widow (we'll come back to that), but production delays pushed the project to July 2021. However, in March 2021, Disney+ broadcast the series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in which de Fontaine appears, effectively reversing her first time on screen. For the rest, we will therefore choose to tell you the events in order of broadcast.
In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine arrives at the courthouse following the fall of John Walker (Wyatt Russell) to tell him that his role will not end there and that he can still serve his country, confiding in him that he did the right thing by taking the super-soldier serum. She leaves him a blank business card and advises him to answer the phone when it comes. At this point, we know nothing about this woman, except that she seems to be high-ranking and have all the necessary access and resources.
Later in the show, she officially hires Walker by providing him with a new uniform, while regretting that she cannot give him back Captain America's shield, since it is not government property. It doesn't matter, since the world doesn't need a new Captain, but a U.S. Agent. We understand that Valentina is building a team to serve the country, unlike the Avengers.
In Black Widow, she intervenes during the post-credits scene when Yelena is paying her respects at Natasha's grave. She then sends the assassin on a mission to eliminate her sister's killer, showing him a photo of Clint Barton, aka Hawkeye. Which brings us to the series of the same name. Valentina doesn't appear here, but we learn that she was actually hired by Eleanor Bishop. This is how de Fontaine brings two future Thunderbolts* under his wing.
Finally, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever marks her second appearance on the big screen. This time, we learn more about her position since she is designated as director of the CIA. We also learn that she was married for several years to Everett Ross (Martin Freeman). Eager to put her country first, she doesn't hesitate to spy on Ross, then to arrest him when he prefers to support Wakanda regarding Vibranium, which de Fontaine wants to appropriate for the benefit of the United States alone. Regarding her side activities, it is worth noting that she bought Stark Tower, the former Avengers HQ.
A strategist and manipulator, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is ready to do anything to achieve what she considers best for her country. Within the MCU, she presents herself as a sort of Nick Fury, more politician than soldier, who is not afraid to cross the legal and moral line if it serves her objectives.
Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in comics
A perfect transition to talk about her comic book version. A former countess, she worked for a secret Russian organization before being recruited by SHIELD. Gifted in the field, she quickly rose through the ranks to become number 2 and formed a close relationship with Fury for several years. More devoted to SHIELD than to the latter, their paths diverged. She only left the organization when Norman Osborn transformed it into HAMMER and she infiltrated HYDRA as the new Madame Hydra. De Fontaine's entire life would be tied to Fury and SHIELD.
Beyond personality and appearance, there is little in common between the two versions of this anti-heroine working for the right side... or what she believes to be the right side. This is also explained by the fact that Julia Louis-Dreyfus's Valentina is also a crossover with another character, that of Valerie Cooper, a government liaison agent in charge of superhuman regulation who will be a contact of John Walker.
As for her role in Thunderbolts*, see you in theaters!
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