Summary
Daniel Brühl has recently teased his return to theMCUas Baron Zemo, and this should have happened in Marvel Studios' upcomingThunderbolts*, but he has curiously been omitted from the Phase 5 crossover movie. Brühl first appeared as Zemo in 2016’sCaptain America: Civil Warwith a vendetta against the Avengers for the collateral damage they’ve caused. After successfully splitting up the Avengers, Zemo joined Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes in Phase 4’sThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierto take on the Flag Smashers, but it’s been unclear since when and where the charismatic villain could show up next.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldierended with Zemo being imprisoned in the Raft, leaving his future in the MCU uncertain. However, in a conversation withScreen Rantin June 2024,Daniel Brühl commented on his potential returnto the MCU as Zemo, noting that the villain is"still not dead.“Brühl neglected to go into any detail about when or where Baron Zemo might reappear, though with his former tenuous teammatesSam Wilson and Bucky Barnesset to return in Phase 5, there is an opportunity for Zemo to join them, particularly in one upcoming crossover movie.
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Zemo Should Have Returned In Thunderbolts*
Zemo Led The First Thunderbolts Team In Marvel Comics
Several past MCU villains and antiheroes will be returning in 2025’sThunderbolts*, but it’s the villains that won’t be featured inThunderbolts*inaugural castthat have caused a stir. Shortly after Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster, US Agent, and Valentina were confirmed as the first Thunderbolts team, many expressed concern that several perfect villainous candidates from the MCU’s history had been ignored.This includes Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo, whose direct connection with the group in Marvel Comics and experience as a powerful villain-turned-antihero in the MCU made him a clear choice.
Baron Helmut Zemo’s relationship with the Thunderboltsin Marvel Comics dates back to the team’s very first appearance in 1997’sThe Incredible Hulk #449. The first Thunderbolts team was actually Zemo’s villainous Masters of Evil disguised as heroes to replace the Avengers following their battle against Onslaught.The fact that Zemo was the Thunderbolts' original leader in Marvel Comics makes it even more of a shame that he won’t be included in the MCU movie. This is especially true since his Phase 4 story saw him receive some redemption, making him a great fit for the team.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier(2021)
Ant-Man and the Wasp(2018)
Where Zemo Could Return In The MCU Instead
Zemo Could Have A Bright Future In The MCU Outside Of Thunderbolts*
Even though Baron Zemo likely won’t be making an appearance inThunderbolts*, Daniel Brûhl’s comments suggest that he will be coming back in a different upcoming MCU project. Following his Phase 4 adventure with Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes, eitherCaptain America: Brave New WorldorThunderbolts*would have made the most sense for Zemo to return. Nevertheless,Zemo has opposed many other heroes since his Marvel Comics debut in 1973, so he could reappear in any number of upcoming MCU projects.
Zemo has been a recurring adversary of the Avengers for much of his Marvel Comics history, sohe could be one of the multiple villains recently teased to be appearing in Phase 6’sAvengers 5, as perhaps one of a number of powerful foes somehow released from the Raft. Zemo has also battled Peter Parker’s Spider-Man, so Daniel Brühl could return in Tom Holland’s next MCU trilogy. With recent speculation ofHawkeyeseason 2, Zemo’s rivalry with the archer could also be explored in live-action, meaning the villain could have a bright future even without an appearance inThunderbolts*.
