THE AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (2015): Baron Von Strucker is 2nd Villain

Rumored secondary villain, for The Avengers Age of Ultron, confirmed. The title of Joss Whedon‘s highly anticipated second Avengers film pretty much says it all. The android Ultron (James Spader) will be “the big bad” for the film. It should not have been a surprise, however, when word first came of at least one additional high profile villain making an appearance; Thanos did steal the spotlight from Loki in the first film, after all. The rogue gallery expansion in this case, however, will be more of a supplementation than an escalation.

The character Baron Von Strucker has since been confirmed as the second villain set to appear in Age of Ultron.

About Baron Von Strucker:

Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, and first appearing in Sgt. Fury and his Howling Commandos #5 (1964), Baron Wolfgang von Strucker was a former Nazi officer, and is one of the leaders of HYDRA: an enemy of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, and the interests of the United States of America and of the free world in general. He has been physically augmented to be nearly ageless. He has been seemingly killed in the past only to return to plague the world with schemes of world domination and genocide, time and time again.

Baron Strucker is a highly intelligent man in peak human physical condition. He is an exceptional hand-to-hand combatant, swordsman, and marksman. He is also a consummate military strategist and spy, and a master of disguise and excellent actor. He carries a sword and traditional firearms, but also wears the Satan Claw on his right hand: this metal gauntlet amplifies his strength and emits powerful electrical shocks. Strucker also uses serums developed by HYDRA, enabling him to maintain his physical vigor at its height and retard his aging process, so that physically he remains the same, despite his advanced chronological age.

Baron Von Strucker will likely serve as an introductory or lead-in element to Age of Ultron. The characters Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) and Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) are slated to appear in the film, as well. Since they were both originally villains, the easy assumption would be for their introduction to come alongside, or by way of, the Baron, before redeeming their way into the heroes’ ranks.

Previous articles on Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch:

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Aaron Taylor-Johnson is Quicksilver

The Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015): Elizabeth Olsen cast as Scarlet Witch

The redemption angle, at first glance, might seem reminiscent of Hawkeye’s (another source material reformed villain) contribution to the last film; but the genocidal nature of Ultron makes the common enemy/ greater good incentive the more likely scenario.

With confirmation of the Baron’s appearance, rumors have now turned to the Baron’s casting. Marton Csokas and Dougray Scott are supposedly up for early consideration.

The Avengers: Age of Ultron cast also includes Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Samuel L. Jackson, and Anthony Mackie.

Leave your thoughts on Baron Von Strucker’s addition to The Avengers: Age of Ultron in the comments section below. For more The Avengers: Age of Ultron photos, videos, and information, visit our The Avengers Page, subscribe to us by Email, “follow” us on Twitter, Tumblr, or “like” us on Facebook. The Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in US theaters through Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on May 1, 2015.

Sources: Latino-Review, HitFix, Wikipedia.