Though James Spader will play The Avengers: Age of Ultron's titular villain, Thomas Kretschmann joined the cast in January as the sequel's “initial” threat, Baron Wolfgang von Strucker. Talking with B.Z. Berlin last week, the German actor commented on his role and confirmed it to span multiple films. “That's great of course,” he said. “I have a multi-picture deal which means I will not only appear in the 2nd part, but they're planning with me for a longer period of time. But I don't know details yet, they're keeping their cards close to their chest - top secret!” The King Kong actor was asked if the big-budget film made him nervous. “Oh yes, I was nervous,” he admits. “I was overprepared; then on the set I went up to Joss Whedon, who passes for a genius, and said 'this is my first day, this is huge, please have patience with me, I'm a bit nervous.'”
Principal photography on Age of Ultron doesn't start until later this month, so it's intriguing that Kretschmann may have already filmed some scenes as Baron von Strucker and under Whedon's direction. Considering the actor is contracted to play the Captain America foe in multiple films, and next month's The Winter Soldier is said to set up The Avengers sequel, perhaps we'll see Strucker sooner than we think… (and maybe even in the all-but-confirmed Captain America 3). Regardless, in addition to being the initial villain of The Avengers: Age of Ultron, Baron von Strucker is also said to be responsible for bringing Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch into contact with our mightiest heroes.
Anyhow, the film has already completed “action photography sequences” in South Africa, so key scenes in South Korea is next on the Age of Ultron filming schedule. Then later this month, the Marvel production will head over to Italy while principal photography with the actors will take place on sound stages in the United Kingdom. Avengers stars who are already physically (or verbally) getting ready for the extensive shoot include Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Samuel L. Jackson, and even newcomer Elizabeth Olsen. The actress debuted her new straight-haired brunette look last week in preparation for her role as Wanda Maximoff, aka the Scarlet Witch. What do you think?
The Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Cobie Smulders, Jeremy Renner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Elizabeth Olsen, with Paul Bettany, Samuel L. Jackson, and James Spader. The film is set for release on May 1, 2015.
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