10 Upcoming MCU Projects Where Valentina Could Return
The final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier shows that Contessa Valentina Allegra de la Fontaine will play a larger role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe going forward. While her true motives and intentions are still a mystery, some reasonable guesses can be made as to which MCU movies and shows she might appear in next. Her comic book history offers a few clues as to where she might appear. This is mainly because she relates to Nick Fury, her colleague from S.H.I.E.L.D., and a one-time love interest. But her tantalizing comments in her brief appearances suggest that she could show up in a lot of places in the future of the MCU.
1. Hawkeye
Contessa might be involved in spy and other street-level MCU stories like the upcoming Hawkeye series. The plot of the series is unknown. But fans are well aware of the fact that it will involve Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop. Kate Bishop becomes Hawkeye in the comics and is likely to in the MCU as well. Depending on the ambitions of Contessa, her role in Hawkeye might be big or small. She has connections to Clint Barton in the comics through S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers. But it looks like her character in the MCU is a bit more heroic than it was for her in her early comic appearances.
2. Secret Invasion
One of the most significant upcoming MCU projects is Secret Invasion. This one looks to be adopting the 2008 comic book storyline where the Skrulls initiate a massive invasion of Earth. The Contessa was revealed in this story to be a Skrull agent in disguise. She was sent to spy on Nick Fury and S.H.I.E.L.D. for many years. Nick Fury kills this Skrull and later discovers that the real Contessa is still alive. She and other heroic figures, including Spider-Woman, were hidden away while Skrulls impersonated them in preparation for the all-attack on Earth. The MCU Contessa might be a Skrull in disguise.
3. Captain America 4
The most likely place The Contessa might show up is the recently announced Captain America 4. The movie, set to be written by FATWS showrunner Malcolm Spellman and staff writer Dalan Musson, will surely pick up narrative and thematic threads from the streaming series. One of those is The Contessa. Her activities seem to be directly related to the ascension of Sam Wilson becoming Captain America. She might make her big move in the movie, and be unveiled as a villain and also an ally of the new Captain America.
4. World of Wakanda
The upcoming World Of Wakanda series by Ryan Coogler will explore the greater world and lore of the fictional Marvel country. It’s not clear what characters or stories the show will present. But if it gets into the international reach of the Dora Milaje at all, then The Contessa makes sense as a possible antagonist. Her encounters with the Wakandans in the comic books are few and far between. But the MCU might make a big move this time.
5. Black Widow
The Contessa is one of the most important spies in Marvel Comics. She has been a longtime member of S.H.I.E.L.D. That history makes her a natural fit to appear in some capacity in the upcoming Black Widow movie. The plot of the movie is unknown. But Contessa is deeply rooted in international espionage and she can easily make a similar small cameo appearance in the movie. In fact, there have been reports that she was originally meant to debut in Black Widow, delayed over a year from its original release date.
6. Moon Knight
Marc Spector, the man who becomes the superhero Moon Knight, has a lot of similarities with John Walker. He is a former soldier and CIA operative who may fit in the profile of the type of people The Contessa is looking for to staff her ‘weird things’ team. Moon Knight has spent some time on the West Coast Avengers with the U.S. Agent back in the late ’80s. The team included Hawkeye, an important Marvel spy named Mockingbird, and both the Scarlet Witch as well as Vision. The White Vision made his debut during this run. It is possible that Contessa might be assembling her own Avengers, with the use of inverse versions of the classic characters.
7. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings might adapt a lot of comic book storylines for the plot of the movie. Shang-Cho’s origin seems to be at the heart of it. It has Shang-Chi raised from birth as a deadly assassin in his father’s international criminal enterprise. It is possible that his father has some connection in the underworld to Contessa, allowing her to appear there. If there is any connection between Contessa and the Power Broker, now revealed to be Sharon Carter, then it is more likely that Valentina might appear. Shang-Chi battled The Power Broker and his Corporation alongside Iron Fist in some of his earliest adventures.
8. She-Hulk
Another Avenger getting her own solo MCU series is She-Hulk. The plot of the series is unknown. This leaves open a lot of room for speculation on how Contessa could show up. If Contessa is assembling her own team, Jennifer Walters would be an obvious candidate because of her strength. She-Hulk plays a role in Secret Invasion, the massive comic book storyline that would see the Skrulls invading Earth. This can link both she and The Contessa to the upcoming streaming series.
9. Ironheart
Ironheart is directly connected to the Armor Wars series. It will also star War Machine. Ironheart will focus on the young superhero, Riri Williams. She was not a part of the original comic book storyline, and neither was Contessa. Both might fall into the adaptation in ways that update the story for the screen. Riri Williams is mentored by Tony Stark in the comics. But since he has passed away in the MCU, Riri might fall under the tutelage of a different figure. That might be Contessa, who seems to be collecting heroes.
10. Armor Wars
“Things are about to get weird,” The Contessa tells her new employee, John Walker, the U.S. Agent in the final episode of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. This can take a lot of different shapes considering how Phase Four unfolds. But one thing she could conceivably be involved in is Armor Wars. Armor Wars might follow the comic book storyline where Tony Stark’s proprietary technology is discovered to be in the hands of supervillains all around the world. Contessa might be involved in setting up the conflict or also trying to diffuse it.
