Nick Fury has been an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since the first Iron Man film and while half of the original six Avengers are no longer part of the franchise, the elite spy and former director of S.H.I.E.L.D. continues to be an influential figure, especially now with Phase Four set to adapt the Secret Invasion storyline.
However, it looks like Fury's time in the MCU is numbered, and according to a recent statement from Marvel producer Nate Moore, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ cunning and conniving Valentina Allegra de Fontaine will eventually take his place in the franchise.
Moore's revelation seems to be a dead giveaway that Val's villainous role in the MCU won't last for long. Well, either that or she'll end up infiltrating S.H.I.E.L.D. In the new book Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Art of the Series (via The Direct) where Moore made his comments, Julia also addressed what's next for her baddie.
The actress said: "There's a lot of mystery in terms of her background, and whether she's a good guy or a bad guy remains to be seen… she's sort of living in a gray zone. And I like the idea of a female mastermind. I think it's about time, by the way, not to get too political on anybody. But I'm all in favor of it. And I'm delighted to be able to do it myself. And the other thing that's really fun is sometimes you think maybe she said too much, and then maybe it seems as if what she said was intentional, and she wanted you to think she said too much, but she didn't. It's all a plan. She's about three steps ahead of everyone, and that's gobs of fun to play."
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Val made her intentions clear during The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale that she wants to assemble her own supervillain team which will end up being the MCU's version of the Thunderbolts. Now, whether her ascension as Nick Fury's replacement happens in Phase Four remains to be seen but I'm kind of on board with the idea.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming on Disney+.