There is simply no denying that Marvel Studios' Avengers: Doomsday has all the potential to be one of the biggest movies of all time. Heck, directors the Russo Brothers just confirmed that it's going to be the biggest film they've ever done. That, coupled with Robert Downey Jr.'s return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the fact that it sets the stage for the conclusion of the Multiverse Saga truly suggests that we're in for a larger-than-life affair even bigger in scale than the previous two Avengers movies.
The stars are coming out for this one, with the studio already confirming that 27 Marvel regulars will be back for the film (including characters from Thunderbolts*, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, the X-Men movies and, of course, the original Avengers films). However, both the studio and Downey Jr. himself have confirmed that more surprises will be in store in the actual film itself. And since then predictions as to who could join the production have been running rampant.
Now, one Marvel star has seemingly left the door open for a return in the near-future after previously ruling out an appearance in Avengers: Doomsday.
Thunderbolts* star Julia Louis-Dreyfus hopeful about MCU future with Avengers: Doomsday on the horizon
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is keeping fans' hopes that she might appear in Avengers: Doomsday alive and well. The Hollywood legend portrays Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in the MCU, with her most recent appearance coming in this summer's Thunderbolts*. However, while her costars from that movie will be returning in the upcoming Avengers flick, Louis-Dreyfus' name was not among the announced returnees. But, speaking to Entertainment Weekly about the possibility of an Avengers: Doomsday appearance, she said that she's "feeling very positive" about her return.
"I certainly hope so... I'm not at liberty to say, but I know that anything is possible and I'm up for more play in the Marvel universe at any moment. I stand at the ready."
While this isn't an outright confirmation that she'll appear in Avengers: Doomsday, it does suggest that there is still a possibility. It also suggests that, irrespective of whether she's in the movie or not, Valentina will return to the MCU at some point. And well, obviously, that's a wonderful thing.
The Veep star was previously asked about a potential Avengers appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live and said that she was not in the film, although she did add her excitement to be a part of the MCU. So it's possible that plans have changed or she may just be keeping a lid on things until the studio wants Valentina to return.
Truthfully, it would make sense if the character wasn't involved in Avengers: Doomsday since it's set to have much larger stakes than Thunderbolts* and involve the potential end of the multiverse itself. Although Val has taken credit for putting the New Avengers together, they clearly want nothing to do with her since she tried to have them all killed. So it's unlikely that she will be the one handing out assignments.
Valentina made her first appearance in Disney Plus series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier when she recruited John Walker to her black ops team. She then went onto appear in Black Widow, when it was revealed Yelena Belova was working for her, and she also made a surprise appearance in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever when it was revealed that she was the ex-wife of Everett Ross.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus is a legend and it goes without saying that the MCU is better off for having her in it. We can't wait to see what kind of role Valentina plays when she returns, regardless of whether that return is actually in Avengers: Doomsday or its sequel Avengers: Secret Wars.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in movie theaters on December 18, 2026.