Marvel has a lot of irons in the fire these days. It is in the process of expanding the Spider-Man universe as well as the X-Men universe, with the announcement of new films in both of those franchises. It has even launched a partnership with Netflix to bring some smaller-time heroes a miniseries. However, it's flagship storyline, The Avengers, hasn't had much traction since the announcement of the villain Ultron.
Now it seems there's new life in the Avengers' rumor mill as reports from the Latino Post's El Mayimbe seems to think that another villain is going to make his way to the sequel to Joss Whedon's crossover hit.
"There is a breakdown circulating in Hollywood where Marvel is looking for a PHYSICALLY IMPOSING MAN, age range 40-50, Caucasian, for a supporting role."
That role is apparently the Marvel comic villain Baron von Strucker. Those who are familiar with the comics will know that Strucker is an old-school Marvel bad guy created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby back in 1964. IGN reports he fought in World War II as a Nazi, is one of the main figures of the villainous crime organization HYDRA. Many may remember HYDRA as the organization led by Captain America's first villain in his film, the Red Skull. In the comics, HYDRA acts as sort of the evil counter part to S.H.I.E.L.D.
The character is pretty much ageless so that might explain how a former Nazi soldier is going to battle Earth's mightiest heroes in 2015. His presence will also explain the previously confirmed new characters coming to the film, Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch. In the comics, the duo joined the good guys after working for the infamous Brotherhood of Mutants, led by and taking orders form their father Magneto. However, since the Avengers are not allowed to acknowledge the existence of mutants and the X-Men like the comics do, the two new heroes (played by Aaron Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen) will have to have their origin stories tweaked. Baron von Strucker is perhaps the best way to do that.
