Captain America: The Winter Soldier’s Arnim Zola Scene Was Originally Very Different
Ever wonder how much a scene can change before put in a movie? Well, for Captain America: The Winter Soldier, a key exchange between Steve Rogers, Natasha Romanov and Arnim Zola was actually quite different initially, then was changed for the film. Below you’ll find the original animatic version (edited storyboard version) for the scene released online, along with key differences between the two versions. Check it out, then let us know what you think of all of this.
•There are several flashbacks to Steve’s skinnier self, while the film only used one.
•In the film, they come across photographs of Howard Stark (Dominic Cooper), Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell) and Col. Chester Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones). In the animatic, Col. Phillips’ photograph is on the ground and Steve cleans off the dust that has gathered on it and re-hangs it on the wall.
•When they activate a supercomputer containing the preserved consciousness of Arnim Zola (voiced by Toby Jones), they are informed by Arnim that Hydra grew inside of S.H.I.E.L.D. and that threats like Howard Stark were killed off. In the film, it shows Winter Soldier being involved with Howard’s death, but that isn’t the case in the animatic.
•Originally, Arnim was going to reveal that Baron von Strucker is now in charge of Hydra, but that reveal was left for the post-credits scene.
•In the film, Zola stalls Steve and Natasha so that an airstrike can kill them, which will also destroy his computer-self. However, in the animatic Zola isn’t okay with sacrificing himself and tries to make a deal with Steve. He’ll help them escape if Steve clicks a switch that will allow his consciousness to escape the bunker and go onto the internet. Before pulling the switch, Steve demands Zola tell him about Project Insight, which he does. This is the information that Agent Sitwell gives them in the film. After that, Steve keeps his word and frees Zola. He then escapes with Natasha through a secret passage, instead of jumping into a hole and shielding himself and Natasha with his shield as they did in the film.