A lesser-known narrative within the Captain America franchise of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) may shed light on Baron Helmut Zemo’s deep-seated animosity toward Hydra. In the MCU, Zemo played pivotal roles in both Captain America: Civil War and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In the first, he instigated conflict among The Avengers, while in the latter, he formed a reluctant alliance with the heroes. Unlike his comic book counterpart, the MCU rendition of Zemo harbors intense disdain not just for The Avengers but also for Hydra.
Within the Earth-616 Marvel Comics universe, Baron Helmut Zemo has had a fluctuating relationship with Hydra—at times an ally, at other times a foe, and on occasions, even its leader. This complexity illustrates Zemo’s view of the group as a tool for his ambitions. In contrast, the MCU portrays Zemo, a leader of a Sokovian military unit, as someone who possesses a profound and obsessive hatred for Hydra, stemming from their brutal actions in Sokovia. This perspective makes sense, but insights from a Captain America-related property from 2011 might provide a deeper understanding of his motivations.
Hydra Betrayed Helmut Zemo’s Ancestor During WWII
The Previous Baron Zemo Attempted To Overthrow Red Skull
The 2011 video game Captain America: Super Soldier unfolds during a pivotal montage from Captain America: The First Avenger, showcasing various missions undertaken by Captain America during World War II. A significant portion of the game’s narrative is centered on Castle Zemo, the ancestral estate of Baron Heinrich Zemo, presumed to be Helmut Zemo’s forebear. Although Heinrich himself is not present in the game, players uncover his troubled history with Hydra through various journal entries.
The creators, Chris Evans and the Russo Brothers, acknowledged the martial arts and acrobatic elements showcased in this video game, drawing inspiration for Captain America’s combat techniques in Captain America: The Winter Soldier.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, Baron Heinrich Zemo was not loyal to either the Nazi regime or Hydra; rather, he aligned himself with Hydra to fulfill his personal ambitions. Over time, however, figures like the Red Skull, Arnim Zola, Baron von Strucker (a character appearing in Avengers: Age of Ultron), and the original Madame Hydra gradually seized control of Castle Zemo, much to Heinrich’s frustration. This power struggle ultimately compelled Heinrich to turn against Hydra and attempt to assassinate the Red Skull. Though his assassination plot was thwarted, his journal became crucial in Captain America’s fight against Hydra forces in Castle Zemo.
Helmut Zemo Had Multiple Reasons To Hate Hydra
The Zemo-Hydra Feud Spans Generations
Similar to Heinrich, Helmut Zemo likely perceives Hydra’s presence in Castle Zemo as a desecration of his family’s heritage and an affront to their legacy. The conflict between Hydra and the Invaders led to the destruction of Castle Zemo, which may have prompted the Zemo family to leave Germany for Sokovia—a place Helmut later described disparagingly as a “failed state.” This relatively obscure instalment from the MCU not only emphasizes Helmut Zemo’s personal vendetta against Hydra but also paints it as a deeply rooted intergenerational conflict.