Nick Fury has been a staple in the MCU ever since the post-credits scene in the first Iron Man film back in 2008. The character has become one of the leaders in the MCU since he founded the Avengers and served as the director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for a time being. However, his tenure in the MCU is set to run its course soon and it looks like they have already found his replacement.
As reported by The Direct, in the newly-released book Marvel’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier: The Art of the Series, executive producer Nate Moore commented on Valentina "Val" Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus)'s position in the MCU in which he revealed that they are setting her to be Nick Fury's replacement.
"The Countess Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is a character that has a rich publication history," Moore said. "And to some degree, figuring out who can fill those shoes, which in our mind is in a way taking the reins from Nick Fury, was tough. But when we thought of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, there was a fun energy to her that immediately you realize this person has a weight and a gravity, but they're not the same as Nick Fury. It's a completely different energy."
He continued, "There's a snark to the character that I think sets her apart from what's come before. And yet you still feel like she commands the room. So if you're talking about a new leader, to some degree, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, we were very lucky to find Julia Louis-Dreyfus."
It's not surprising to hear that Marvel is officially setting up Val as the replacement of Nick Fury in the future since we have seen her pop up for small appearances in two MCU projects in Phase Four so far similar to Fury's appearances during Phase One films. If you look at her background in the comics, she has the ability to lead similarly to Fury but in a shadier style.
However, does this mean that Nick Fury will die or retire by the end of Secret Invasion? Obviously, we don't know the answer to that yet but Moore's comments are a hint that Fury's time in the MCU will be over soon since they've been prepping up Val to have a major presence in the franchise. Maybe that will be addressed soon in the series or in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie that is also in the works.
Also Read: Samuel L. Jackson Admits He's Still Furious About Nick Fury's Absence in Captain America: Civil War
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming on Disney+ while Secret Invasion is set to be released later this year.
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