Zemo Wears His Purple Mask in Early Civil War Concept Art

Helmut Zemo wears the character’s iconic purple mask in early Captain America: Civil War concept art. Debuting in the Joe and Anthony Russo-directed film from 2016, the villain played a significant role in the Avengers’ break-up. This led to their catastrophic defeat in Avengers: Infinity War at the hands of Thanos, resulting in the death of half of life in the universe.

With the purple alien and his minions defeated, the MCU is moving forward from the Infinity Saga and into Phase 4. Interestingly, the Zemo is still set to factor into the franchise’s future with a confirmed return in the Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier where he’s expected to wreak havoc again. To reiterate that, it’s been revealed that Zemo will don the character’s purple mask from the comics in the TV show which is exciting for both fans and Brühl himself. Had things turned out differently, however, Zemo would’ve donned the headpiece in Civil War.

Courtesy by Marvel Studios artist Andy Park is an early concept art for Civil War featuring the aforementioned villain. In it, Zemo wears a heavily padded suit carrying a gun. He’s also sporting the purple mask the character is known for in print. Park, however, didn’t explain why the Russos ultimately scrapped the idea of the mask. Check out the image below:

Long before Civil War hit theaters, Brühl already confirmed that he wouldn’t be donning Zemo’s mask from the comic books. The actor explained that Marvel Studios took some liberties in terms of adapting his character on the big screen. For the uninitiated, Zemo’s trademark mask isn’t without any reason. In print, he’s unable to remove it after a vat of Adhesive X spilled all over him during a fight with Captain America. As fans know, Marvel Studios changed the character’s backstory quite a bit – rooting his motivations in personal loss after the death of his family in Sokovia during the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Using his skills and wits, he played master puppeteer to drive a wedge between Captain America and Iron Man which ultimately worked.

With a particular motivation in Captain America: Civil War, it’s curious what’s bringing him back in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Based on the last time fans have seen him, it appears as if he’s content with what’s able to accomplish – that itself is enough for him to stop. In his upcoming return, however, he looks more menacing and ruthless, not to mention that he’s now going by Baron Zemo instead of Helmut. Meanwhile, there are also theories that he might be working alongside Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes instead of fighting them, which is an intriguing premise.

Source: Andy Park

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