While compelling villains often define Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, the handling of one major antagonist in recent adaptations of comic book stories is concerning. Marvel seems to be downplaying the importance of this villain – twice in the past year – despite the franchise’s history of complex and recurring antagonists. It’s a shame to see this character’s significance diminished.
The new Marvel show, Wonder Man, is enjoyable, but it’s quite different from the comic book version of the character. The show centers around Simon Williams, an actor trying to find success, and his unlikely partnership with Trevor Slattery. They’re both hoping to get cast in a Wonder Man movie being made within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. There’s just one problem: using superpowers while working in Hollywood is against the law.
Zemo Keeps Being Left Out Of MCU Stories
Helmut Zemo, played by Daniel Brühl, was first introduced in Captain America: Civil War, bringing the popular comic book villain into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Initially, the movie version of Zemo was quite different from the character in the comics, missing some of his most recognizable traits. Fortunately, when he returned in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the show gave him elements closer to the comic book version, including his signature purple mask and a more commanding presence.
Even though Zemo returned in the Disney+ series, he hasn’t been seen since, which is disappointing. He’s a hugely important character in Marvel Comics, central to many of its biggest storylines, particularly those involving Captain America. Unfortunately, when Marvel adapts stories featuring Zemo for the MCU, they often remove him from key plot points, as is happening with the upcoming Wonder Man series.
Zemo plays a key role in the origin of Wonder Man. After Simon Williams is imprisoned for stealing money from his company, he makes a deal with Zemo and the Enchantress. In exchange for his release from jail (paid for by the Enchantress), Simon agrees to help Zemo get close to the Avengers. Zemo then transforms Simon into Wonder Man. Later in the story, Wonder Man rebels against Zemo, ultimately helping the Avengers and becoming a genuine hero.
The Disney+ series Wonder Man doesn’t include any of this backstory, and it never explains how Simon Williams gained his powers. It seems this origin story isn’t considered official Marvel Cinematic Universe canon, because with so many important characters involved, someone would likely have mentioned it. As a result, despite Zemo being a key figure in Wonder Man’s story, he doesn’t appear in the show at all.
This has happened before. Less than a year ago, Zemo was excluded from the Thunderbolts project, despite being a key figure in many of the team’s storylines. Traditionally, Zemo creates the Thunderbolts as a cover for his criminal activities, but the team usually ends up becoming genuine heroes and turning against him.
The upcoming Thunderbolts movie in the MCU isn’t focusing on Baron Zemo as the team leader. Instead, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is the one bringing the team together with a villainous agenda. It’s disappointing for fans that Zemo is once again absent from a story centered around his namesake team.
When Will Zemo Return In The MCU?
By the end of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, Zemo is imprisoned in The Raft, and he remains there for now. Currently, there are no announced Marvel projects that include him, like the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday, making a return seem unlikely.
A sequel to Thunderbolts seems like the most probable place for his next appearance. It would be exciting to see the New Avengers face a group of supervillains who are posing as heroes, staying true to the comic books. Zemo could be the one to assemble this team, which would allow the MCU to explore both sides of the story – heroes and villains – in a satisfying way.
A future Captain America movie is another possibility. Baron Zemo has only been in Captain America films within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, so it wouldn’t be shocking if he showed up in a fifth, currently unannounced, installment. He could also appear in a Black Panther film, since the Dora Milaje are the ones who captured him and took him to The Raft.
Despite not appearing in a live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe project recently, Zemo did appear in the animated series Marvel Zombies last year. However, the character was voiced by a different actor, Rama Vallury, not Daniel Brühl, who usually plays Zemo. Hopefully, Marvel will bring Zemo back with a more significant role in the main MCU soon.
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2026-02-14 17:10