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Summary
Heroes are only as interesting as their villains , andHydrahas been a notable opposer grouping for the better part of a century in theMCU . While Nick Fury’sIron Mancameo laid the groundwork for S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers , Hydra is a sinister mirror with a mysterious and powerful drawing card to match . Though the system got its right start in World War II , it proved to be a catch for its mythological namesake by continuing to find a way to survive .
Though Hydra may technically still be active inthe MCU timeline , their front and influence have importantly wan . As such , it ’s potential to look at their decennary - long run as a largely complete icon . From the disfiguredRed Skull in the MCU Phase 1to sleeper cells years by and by , here is Hydra ’s complete timeline explicate .
Hydra ’s story is boom significantly in the TV showAgents of S.H.I.E.L.D.However , concord to the latest prescribed MCU timeline Quran and how events have unfolded on the vainglorious screen , Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.is not currently count full MCU canon . As such , this article only covers what is whole and officially confirmed as part of the master MCU timeline .
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has conform a number of Marvel Comics villains , but what became of each of them in their MCU appearances ?
The Rise Of Red Skull And The Acquisition Of The Tesseract
1942
In the thick of World War II , Hydra is mould as the Nazi ’s deep science division , dedicated to researching and experiment with non - traditional technology and the supernatural . Johan Schmidt , the future Red Skill , is appointed to lead the department . experiment on himself with a blemished adaptation of the same Super Soldier Serum more effectively used later on Steve Rogers / Captain America , Schmidt is physically disfigured and earns the nickname Red Skulldue to his iconic crimson face and skull - comparable top dog .
In March 1942 , Schmidt observe the Tesseract in Tønsberg , Norway , where Odin had long ago hidden it . Hydra is able to combine this incredible office reservoir with the inventions of Hydra scientist Arnim Zola to create unprecedented technology to aid them in the state of war . In reply to Hydra ’s successful advance , the allies are forced to use their own Super Soldier Serum from Abraham Erskine on Steve Rogers .
The Initial Fall Of Hydra
1943-1945
Though Steve Rogers , the fresh dubbed Captain America , is ab initio used by the United States as a recruitment dick around the nation , he finally control combat and begin turning the lunar time period in the ally ' favour . In March 1943 , Steve Rogers is knock off off deep into Nazi district in a desperate bid to release several prisoners - including Steve ’s lifelong friend Bucky Barnes . Steve succeeds , and it ’s here thatRogers and Schmidt fulfil grimace - to - face for the first clock time , establishing their iconic rivalry .
However , the warfare exhibit on for years longer . On an undisclosed date , sometime after freeing Bucky and others from imprisonment , Bucky falls into a snowy abyss and is presumed beat . In March 1945 , Steve confronts Red Skull aboard the Valkyrie dirigible . Skull vanish in a explosion of energy from the Tesseract , and Steve goes down with the ship to preserve the targets of its onboard payload .
Hugo Weaving portrayed the Red Skull in Captain America : The First Avenger , but the legendary baddie had a very unusual fate in the MCU ’s Phase 1 .
Steve magnificently survives the clank of the Valkyrie , cryogenically suspended for X until rediscover and wake in the modern age .
Hydra’s Infiltration Of S.H.I.E.L.D. Begins
Late 1940s
As in real life , the United States attempted to inscribe former Nazi scientists after the end of World War II in hopes that their work could contribute to the greater good ( Operation Paperclip ) . In the MCU , this includes Hydra lead scientist Arnir Zola , who sham a new allegiance to the United States . However , Zola make for in secret to rebuild Hydraand infiltrate S.H.I.E.L.D. and other brawny government activity means . He spends decades undercover , in secret planting seeds for Hydra ’s later resurgence .
The MCU is miss some major malefic organisation and corporation such as Oscorp , and the seeds for some have already been establish in the background signal .
The Creation Of The Winter Soldier And The Expansion Of Hydra
Late 1940s Through The 1960s
Though Hydra appear to collapse at the finish of World War II , cellular telephone continue operating away from the public eye . One of their most fearful operations is the creator of super soldiers , brainwash individuals draw to commit heinous acts of violence against their will . Among them is former American soldier Bucky Barnes , who was recuperate by Hydra after his apparent death and fitted with a powerful metallic element arm .
Operating under the name The Winter Soldier , Bucky spends decade as Hydra ’s top bravo . Using their assassin and mol deeply planted around the world , Hydra promotes global destabilization and fight to further their own interests . However , Hydra remains hidden , believe that human race needs unbending control but deny to accept it when it ’s represent plain .
In the fifties , the United States creates another mass of super solders in secret from unwilling minority trial depicted object , let in Isaiah Bradley , who is imprisoned after his service in the Vietnam War to keep the project secret . However , during his time in Vietnam , clank with the Winter Soldier .
The Death Of Arnim Zola And The Birth of Hydra’s Mechanical Mind
1972
In 1972 , Hydra scientist and mole Arnim Zola go . However , unwilling to accept his eventual death , Zola has prepared a way of life to live on . He develops an fantastically with child and complex computer organization ( direct up a massive 200,000 substantial feet ) and lives on as a digitise form of his former ego . With a new lease on pseudo - life , Zola continue to work for S.H.I.E.L.D. while in secret direct Hydra ’s expansionand influence . In exceptional , he uses his digital presence to access agentive role personnel office files and key out those potentially susceptible to Hydra recruitment .
The Assassination of Howard And Maria Stark & The Rise Of Hydra Super Soldiers
1991
While Bucky Barnes playact as an unwilling assassinator for decades , his most influential assassination hap on December 16 , 1991 . disguise it as a vulgar car chance event , Bucky kills Howard and Maria Stark , the parents of Tony Stark , to gain vial of Super Solder Serum in their car . Hydra uses these vials to create even more brainwashed bravo , who they keep frozen in a undercover Siberian bunker in between commission .
Tony afterward finds out about Bucky ’s role in his parent ' death inCaptain America : Civil War . The revelation , along with the fact that Steve Rogers know earlier and did n’t say anything , creates a schism in the Avengers that is n’t healed untilAvengers : Endgame.
Project Insight And The Re-Reveal Of Hydra In The Modern Age
Spring 2014
Having unfold their metaphorical tendril for decades , Hydra is quick to take a major step forward in world domination with S.H.I.E.L.D ’s Project Insight . Using their occult control of the organization , Hydra moles design to plunge a massive S.H.I.E.L.D. military operation to observe citizens worldwide and proactively enlist threats with a fleet of helicarriers . luckily , Nick Fury , Steve Rogers , and Natasha Romanoff grow suspicious and work to take the operation down .
Looking intoProject Insight bring out the thorough penetration of S.H.I.E.L.D. and other government consistency by Hydra . authorities leadership at all levels , including World Security Council member Alexander Pierce , is revealed to be compromised , and Natasha Romanoff , the Black Widow , makes all S.H.I.E.L.D. filing cabinet public along with several other government agencies , opening her own chequer past to the world in the process . Hydra is apparently stopped at the cost of S.H.I.E.L.D. as a whole .
Scattered Hydra Cells Continue Operation
2015
Though Hydra takes a serious shock after their reveal and the failure of Project Insight , smaller cell keep to operate worldwide . One such mobile phone is engage by Baron Stucker , who conducts experiments with Loki ’s Scepter . S.H.I.E.L.D. mole Brock Rumlow also survives a violent confrontation with Captain America , becoming the villain Crossbones . These cells are slowly describe and dealt with by the Avengers and various government bodies .
Among Stucker ’s psychometric test subjects are Wanda and Pietro Maximoff ( Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver ) , who gain their power from the Mind Stone by virtue of their brief time with Hydra .
Interestingly , one potentially consequential Hydra tease has yet to be paid off . InAnt - Man , Darren Cross is working a deal for the Yellowjacket suit with S.H.I.E.L.D. Head of Defense Mitchell Carson , who is secretly a Hydra operative . While the stack is stopped by Ant - Man , Carson is able-bodied to steal a case of Pym Particlesduring the topsy-turvyness of a fight between Cross and Scott Lang . However , neither Carson nor the stolen Pym Particles have ever shown up again .
Custom Image by Yeider Chacon
Hydra’s MCU Future
At this point , it seems improbable that Hydra will play a meaningful role in the future of the MCU , given they ’ve had their time in the spotlight and are currently all but defeated . However , the allowances of the Multiverse Saga make them perfect for an show inAvengers : The Kang DynastyorSecret Warsas other realism are search . It ’s absolutely potential that a timeline could be shown in which Hydra was never stopped and succeeded in world-wide domination .
Perhaps more exciting is the option for one of Marvel ’s most controversial twists to be reference . InCaptain America : Steve Rogers(2016 ) # 1 , Steve was revealed to be a long - time Hydra plant ( which was by and by retconned after significant push - back ) . If the MCU is take care to have the original Avengers cameo as unique variate , a nimble look at a Hydra - loyal Captain America could be an interesting homage . away from that , Hydra ’s never - ending revolving doorway of leadership means they ’re never truly out of the biz , and a surprise appearance is never off the table .
All dates in this timeline were sourced fromMarvel Studios The Marvel Cinematic Universe An prescribed Timeline(print , 2023 )
Upcoming MCU Movies
Release Date
Deadpool & Wolverine
July 26 , 2024
Captain America : Brave New World
February 14 , 2025
Thunderbolts *
May 5 , 2025
The Fantastic Four
July 25 , 2025
Blade
November 7 , 2025
avenger 5
May 1 , 2026
Avengers : mystical Wars
May 7 , 2027
