Daniel Brühl Says Baron Zemo Is A Clever Villain With Clear Motivation In CIVIL WAR

Without a doubt, one of the bigger mysteries in Captain America: Civil War is how Daniel Brühl's (Inglourious Basterds, Rush) Baron Zemo factors into the conflict between Tony Stark and Steve Rogers.  All of the marketing would have you believe that Crossbones sets off an international incident which prompts the government into enacting the Sokovia Accords.  Marketing would also lead viewers to believe that in addition to splitting over the Sokovia Accords, Steve Rogers and Tony Stark differ on how to handle the Winter Soldier.  But somewhere between Crossbones, the Winter Soldier, Team Iron Man and Team Captain America is Baron Zemo.  If anyone is going to be the actual mustache-twirling villain of the Russo Bros.' ambitious follow-up, it's Zemo.  However, it appears Brühl has been carefully instructed by Marvel to give nothing away regarding his characters plans and motivations.   "I was really told not to because there are so many secrets in the film. And also my character’s quite mysterious, so I’m really scared to say too much. The things I’ve mentioned in interviews before were already too much – and I thought it was nothing!"

With that said, the talented actor did confirm that there's complexity to Zemo and his actions, that he isn't up to no good just for the sake of being evil.   "Yes, but what I like is it’s not a stereotype. It’s not a guy who’s mean and sinister, but he’s actually very clever – a very smart guy who does everything out of a very understandable reason and motivation."


It seems the secrecy is really getting to Brühl as the last tidbit he did giveaway is that Zemo is indeed orchestrating events, behind the scenes.  "Some of the things that happen in the film, and why they happen, are because of him. He is orchestrating things that happen throughout the film. I think that’s something I can say, goddam it!"

While some may have forgotten that Zemo is even in the film, many devote Marvel comic book fans have long-since guessed that Zemo is the one pulling strings to set the conflict between Cap and Iron Man in motion.  However, exactly what that plan entails and what Zemo hopes to accomplish is still a mystery (and will hopefully remain so until the film's May 6 release date).