Thomas Kretschmann is joining the cast of the Marvel sequel, "The Avengers: Age of Ultron," as Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
In the comics, the former Nazi officer heads up terrorist organization HYDRA and is a nemesis of Captain America (Chris Evans) and Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Von Strucker will stand alongside the movie's big bad, Ultron, a sentient machine played by James Spader. He may also have ties to the sequel's other villains, Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Quicksilver (Aaron Taylor-Johnson).
Kretschmann is the latest new name coming on board to Joss Whedon's follow-up to the mega-successful superhero movie. The veteran actor is currently starring on NBC's "Dracula" as Van Helsing, and has appeared in "Wanted" with Angelina Jolie and Peter Jackson's "King Kong."
"Avengers: Age of Ultron" hits theaters in May 2015.