How Mr Daniel Brühl blagged a part in Captain America: Civil War .

Time to don your dodgy superhero suit and brush up on your Marvel facts because today sees the UK release of Captain America: Civil War, which is set to be one of this year’s biggest films (it has raked in more than $15m at the US box office already). A sequel to 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier, it follows the mighty Avengers as they suffer an existential crisis after getting called out for, you know, destroying entire cities whenever they try to help someone. So prepare to witness Mr Chris Evans’ Cap’ pit his wits (and his physics-defying shield) against Mr Robert Downey Jr’s Iron Man in a battle of ideals and metal-crushing punches.

All of this superhero stuff going way over your head? Fear not. Mr Daniel Brühl – he of Rush and Good Bye Lenin! fame – was far from a Marvel expert when he was asked to play the film’s villain Baron Zemo.

Captain America must be the biggest film you’ve done…

I became like a 12-year-old when we started filming. I was blown away by how big it all was. But Chris [Evans] and Robert [Downey Jr] were very welcoming. There was a day when Scarlett [Johansson] and Chris were in make-up – that’s the moment I thought, “Fuck… it’s incredible that I’m in this.”

Were you a Marvel fan when you got “the call”?

I was definitely not an expert. The comic books I read as a child were Tintin, Asterix and Gaston. When I got a call from my agent in LA saying I had to meet Kevin Feige [president of Marvel Studios] the next day, I said, “No, no, no! I need a month to prepare for this meeting. I have to read all these comic books.” I went. But whenever I sensed a complicated question coming up, I distracted him: “Another cappuccino?”

How would you describe Baron Zemo?

He’s not a clichéd villain. He has human motivations. He knows he’s not powerful enough to fight the superheroes, but he’s clever enough to destroy them from within. We talked a lot about the film Seven and Kevin Spacey’s part in it. That made sense – this guy pulling the strings in the background. It’s always fun to play a villain, especially one you can empathise with.

Were you disappointed you didn’t get to wear a costume?

When you’re in this world you wonder, “What funky outfit will I wear? Which super weapon will I have?” But no… it’s just me.

Baron Zemo looks a bit different from the comic books…

That’s why I like the Marvel guys – they are brave enough to not stick to the original comic books. I’m hoping that fans of the comic don’t throw tomatoes at me and say, “Why are you not purple?” I was blown away at the premiere in LA. For miles and miles there were people dressed up and screaming. It was wild. Especially if you’re not familiar with that world. It’s a freak experience.

Your character is rather serious.

Yes, Baron Zemo is on the serious side. I would have loved to have included a bit of humour; that’s something that I enjoy about the Marvel films. But the balance in Captain America: Civil War is so good. You have full-on action scenes, but then you have this introduction of Spider-Man, for example, and great comic timing by [the 19-year-old British actor] Tom Holland. I’m very impressed by this kid. He’s so young.

Who’s your favourite superhero?

I would say Tom Holland’s Spider-Man is my new superhero. Actually, forget Spider-Man altogether – Tom Holland is my superhero.

An official trailer for Marvel Studios’ Captain America – Civil War