When Marvel Studios first revealed Thunderbolts*, it was clear that the movie wouldn't have too much in common with the comics. Bucky Barnes was the only character with a strong connection to the source material, having led a team of his own on the page, but that's really it.

In the Marvel Universe, the Thunderbolts started as a team of villains masquerading as heroes, with Baron Zemo serving as their leader. Years later, Luke Cage led a team of prisoners, Suicide Squad-style, though neither concept will be used in the MCU.

Talking to Dexerto, Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier acknowledged that many fans are unhappy with Zemo's absence, but confirmed that the Captain America: Civil War villain was never included in any versions of the script he saw.

"There was no version that I was presented with where that was ever true, from the first draft that I read," the filmmaker said.