I think that's a valid theory, and given what we know of the comic-book version of Hydra certainly seems likely they'd eventually pull off their masks and laugh maniacally/triumphantly at their victory, letting the world know who was truly in charge.
But I'd postulate that even if Project Insight was successfully launched, Hydra would have continued to operate covertly as SHIELD, taking out whomever they liked, with the full backing of the citizenry and government. Why abandon the guise if it wasn't necessary? After all, as Zola said, it's much easier to have people hand over their freedom rather than try to take it by force. As long as they could portray whomever challenged them as traitors/terrorists they could pretty much get away with anything.
But it was Fury's nosiness and Cap's decision to drag the fight out into the open that forced their hand, meaning they had to take out as many loyal SHIELD agents/installations as possible before the jig was completely up. Wasn't Garrett just a little surprised that they'd finally decided to step out? I could be misremembering that though.
It just seems a little crazy to me that Hydra after hiding so successfully for so long would willingly give up that anonymity if they didn't have to. But in the end we are dealing with a Nazi-descended organisation - crazy's pretty much their mission-statement.
Of course there's definite room for either theory, which is part of what makes the film so great in my opinion, the ability to debate plot-points and character motivations.
But I'd postulate that even if Project Insight was successfully launched, Hydra would have continued to operate covertly as SHIELD, taking out whomever they liked, with the full backing of the citizenry and government. Why abandon the guise if it wasn't necessary? After all, as Zola said, it's much easier to have people hand over their freedom rather than try to take it by force. As long as they could portray whomever challenged them as traitors/terrorists they could pretty much get away with anything.
But it was Fury's nosiness and Cap's decision to drag the fight out into the open that forced their hand, meaning they had to take out as many loyal SHIELD agents/installations as possible before the jig was completely up. Wasn't Garrett just a little surprised that they'd finally decided to step out? I could be misremembering that though.
It just seems a little crazy to me that Hydra after hiding so successfully for so long would willingly give up that anonymity if they didn't have to. But in the end we are dealing with a Nazi-descended organisation - crazy's pretty much their mission-statement.
Of course there's definite room for either theory, which is part of what makes the film so great in my opinion, the ability to debate plot-points and character motivations.