Falcon and Winter Soldier episode 5: Fans flabbergasted as huge star makes MCU cameo in key role

Bucky and Sam are yet to meet the new Marvel character (Picture: Marvel Studios/Disney Plus via AP)

Warning: major spoilers ahead for episode five of The Falcon and The Winter Soldier.

In the lead-up to episode five of Marvel’s Falcon and The Winter Soldier on Disney Plus, fans were teased that there was a massive MCU cameo coming their way – and they were not disappointed.

After being told that he can no longer hold the title of Captain America following his public, murderous display of violence, John Walker (Wyatt Russell) is greeted by a mysterious individual called Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine who tells him that she’ll be in touch… played by none other than comedy queen Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

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Viewers were absolutely taken aback by the Emmy Award-winning actor’s arrival, with one person speculating that her character could be taking over from Thanos ‘as Marvel’s next big bad’ villain.

So who is the Seinfeld star’s character, will she be appearing in Black Widow and what did the Falcon and Winter Soldier mid-credits scene mean for next week’s grand finale?

Who is Julia Louis-Dreyfus’ character Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine?

When Julia sauntered over to John as ‘Val’, complete with high-heeled boots that are ‘not made for walking’ and an air of confidence matched by the likes of Loki, she immediately cemented her place as one to watch in the MCU going forward.

Julia Louis-Dreyfus has arrived in the MCU (Picture: Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

In the Marvel comic books, Valentina is an espionage agent who forms close links to S.H.I.E.L.D. boss Nick Fury, played in the MCU by Samuel L Jackson.

Born to parents who worked for a secret terrorist organisation called Leviathan, she eventually succeeds supervillain Viper as Madame Hydra.

As MCU fans will remember, in Captain America: Winter Soldier it was revealed that for years Hydra had infiltrated and operated within S.H.I.E.L.D.

Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine has arrived (Picture: Marvel/Marvel Studios)

Falcon and Winter Soldier fans were flabbergasted by Julia’s debut as the character in the latest episode, with one tweeting excitedly: ‘YOU’RE TELLING ME 11x EMMY AWARD WINNER JULIA LOUIS-DREYFUS IS APART OF THE MCU?!’

‘Julia Louis-Dreyfus taking over for Thanos as Marvel’s next big bad is the energy we needed from this franchise,’ another remarked.

Someone else questioned whether Julia’s Valentina will be revealed to be Madame Hydra, asking: ‘OH MY GOD IS SHE ANOTHER VILLAIN??’

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‘I cant believe Julia Louis-Dreyfus is Mephisto,’ someone else joked, referencing the many theories that surrounded the expected arrival of the demonic character in WandaVision.

According to Vanity Fair, Julia was supposed to make her first MCU appearance in Black Widow, which was originally due to be released in 2020.

So, fans could end up seeing Julia share the screen with Scarlett Johansson, Rachel Weisz, Florence Pugh and David Harbour when the blockbuster finally premieres in July.

What did the Falcon and Winter Soldier mid-credits scene mean?

After engaging in a brutal battle with Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan) and Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), John finally has Cap’s symbolic shield wrenched away from him, after he used it to kill a member of the Flag-Smashers.

John Walker is facing the repercussions of his actions (Picture: Marvel Studios/Disney)

Having been informed that he can no longer represent the US government as Captain America, John’s next step seems uncertain for him.

Until he decides that he can – and will – still be Captain America… and it appears he won’t let anything get in his way.

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In a montage reminiscent of Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark in the first Iron Man film, the mid-credits scene for episode five shows John in a workshop fashioning a new Captain America shield for himself, spraying it with red and blue paint and fixing the star at its centre.

In the Marvel comic books, John becomes known as U.S. Agent. Will this be the persona that he takes on when he returns in episode six?

Falcon and The Winter Soldier is available to watch on Disney Plus with the final episode being released next Friday.

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