How many villains will The Avengers: Age of Ultron have? We know that Ultron, the menacing robot, will create problems for Earth’s mightiest heroes in 2015, and that James Spader will lend his clinical, sinister voice to the part. And there were rumors of a second foe, which now seems to have been confirmed.
THR is going on record to say that Thomas Kretschmann has been cast in Joss Whedon’s high-powere sequel, playing Baron Wolfgang von Strucker in the film. This was reported a while back that the classic character might have a role in Whedon’s story. Now we have a face to put with a character name.
Not a recognizable face, mind you (no offense, Mr. Kretschmann). Prior to gaining Hollywood’s "Golden Ticket" by landing a part in a Marvel movie, the actor was primarily known for playing Van Helsing in NBC’s Dracula program.
But he also has film experience, having shown up in Peter Jackson’s King Kong, Blade II, U-571, Wanted and The Pianist. Just listen to his natural accent in that above clip, though. He’s ideal to play the German leader of the evil HYDRA, which is what Whedon will need for Von Strucker.
The villain, in Marvel lore, was a Nazi and the head of HYDRA who often clashed with Captain America (Chris Evans) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Maybe this means we are going to hear more mention of HYDRA and its criminal doings in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. They easily could become a recurring problem in the expanding Marvel cinematic universe.
We’re getting close to the point of "too busy" with Age of Ultron, though. In addition to Ultron and Wolfgang, Whedon already has made it clear that he is bringing in Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver for his franchise, casting Elizabeth Olsen and Aaron Taylor Johnson in the parts. Factor in screen time for current Avengers Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and the big dog, Robert Downey Jr., and Whedon suddenly has a juggling act on his hands.
Maybe it’s time to open that West Coast Avengers headquarters, after all.
As Whedon continues to cast, we look forward to the next Cap movie. Here’s the trailer. What do you think of the Avengers hire?
