According to The Hollywood Reporter, "Dracula" actor Thomas Kretschmann has been cast in a "major villain role" for Marvel's "Avengers: Age of Ultron." While the main antagonist role of Ultron has already been filled by James Spader, THR's sources say there's another villain's shoes Kretschmann will fill: Baron Wolfgang von Strucker, one of the heads of HYDRA in the modern era. THR's Borys Kit stated via Twitter that Kretschmann's deal is "for several movies," indicating his character is likely more than merely a one-shot villain.

No stranger to comic book films, Kretschmann previously portrayed Cross in 2008's "Wanted," with upcoming roles in "Stalingrad" and "The Saint" TV film starring Eliza Dushku. The actor will join Marvel Cinematic Universe newcomers Spader, Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen as well as MCU veterans Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Don Cheadle, Samuel L. Jackson and Cobie Smulders.

Directed by Joss Whedon, "Avengers: Age of Ultron" opens May 1, 2015.