Could Zemo & Strucker Be The Villains In Captain America 2?

It's been long rumored that Captain America villain and leader of the Masters of Evil, Baron Zemo would be featured in Captain America: The First Avenger. Screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely confirmed to IFC that in early versions of the script Zemo and Baron Strucker indeed were involved. However, it seemed like a waste to use both so early in the franchise. It's likely that the two villains could show up in Captain America 2 or future Marvel films.

There were a few classic villains that were planned for the first film, only to be removed in subsequent drafts. The pair previously revealed that evil despot Baron Zemo was in an early draft, but he wasn't the only sinister side character in those versions of the script.

"Baron Strucker was in there for a while, but he wasn't doing enough to justify wasting him in the film," said McFeely. "We certainly tried things, and ended up settling on the more useful Red Skull and Arnim Zola. But they're all still on the table," he teased. 

"There wasn't a sequence with Master Man that ended up on the cutting room floor or anything," laughed Markus. "But there was an endless array of scenes we could've drawn from, and may draw from in the future. I'm not being cryptic when I say that, either - I'm just being a comic book geek. For example, some day, whether it be in an 'Iron Man' movie or a 'Captain America' movie or any other Marvel movie, I want to see M.O.D.O.K. float down the hall." 

Zemo along with creating The Masters of Evil (a group of villains that fight The Avengers) is also responsible for putting together the original Thunderbolts group. The Thunderbolts were similar to the Dark Avengers as they are villains posing as heroes to gain the world's trust and plan to eventually take it over. Other incarnations of the group included villains released from super prisons to reduce their sentences working for SHIELD on different missions. I wouldn't be shocked to see Zemo become a baddie in Avengers 2.

Strucker on the other hand is heavily involved with both Hydra and A.I.M. which could mean that he might be a modern villain that could resurrect Hydra or bring A.I.M. into the forefront. Considering Modok a known member of A.I.M. has been mentioned a few times by the screenwriters. He seems a good bet for Captain America 2 or the Nick Fury film. Hopefully we'll see Madame Hydra ends up alongside Strucker.

Villains That Should Be In Future Captain America Films

After viewing Captain America: The First Avenger a couple of times I've found it very entertaining. Being one of the best of Marvel Studios' films yet. So when the studio moved forward with a second film I was very interested. There was an announcement that Marvel was developing a script for a Cap sequel but no release date was set but 2014 seems likely. Joe Johnston is expected to return as the director since he signed on to make two films.

Last month screenwriter Christopher Markus (Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain America 2) brought up an interesting casting idea for Captain America 2 that could seen recent Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones) in the role of villain Modok in the sequel. Modok of A.I.M. is one of the only villains mentioned besides the quote from director Joe Johnston stating he'd like to explore the Winter Soldier story. I've come up with a few other villains that should be on screen some known and some lesser known villains.

A.I.M.: Advanced Idea Mechanics is another large terrorist group and is a splinter group of Hydra which was started by Baron Von Strucker. Modok is also an important member of the group along with Monica Rappaccini better known as Scientist Supreme. If the studio decides not to resurrect Hydra, A.I.M. could be a good target for SHIELD and Cap.

ALEXSANDER LURKIN: There are a few villains that could help move the Winter Soldier aspect forward, mainly KGB agent Aleksander Lukin. He inherits the leadership of a KGB group which is in charge of the Winter Soldier project. Lurkin is also involved with Kronas Corporation and Roxxon Oil. There was an Roxxon building shown in the first Iron Man, so the company has been established in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The Russian aspect could also lead to the Russian Super Solider Program giving us Red Guardian. Lurkin also has aligned himself with Hydra and The Red Skull.

MADAME HYDRA: Is the second in command of Hydra under Baron Von Strucker along with being the usperper of The Serpent Squad. If they do deceide to bring back Hydra, Strucker and Madame Hydra could be great co-leaders for the present time group. They've been previously introduced in both the cartoon series along with the Cap video game Super Solider.

BARON ZEMO: Zemo is the second most popular Captain America villain after Red Skull and could really show up in either of the time periods. Considering Heinrich (12th Baron Zemo) is seen during WWII and his son Helmunt is the present day Zemo.

GEORGES BATROC: A former French Legionnaire and currently a mercenary who is a master of savate (French Kickboxing) has been upgraded over the years from comic relief to badass. Eventually being able to handle fighting off both Cap and Hawkeye at once. Batroc is also able to hold his own against Black Panther, who is one of the greatest hand-to-hand fighters in the Marvel universe. I could see him used as a hired gun and could be apart of any villaineous group.