Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release on December 18, is beginning to build anticipation with new promotional materials and cast insights. While Marvel Studios has kept Doctor Doom's appearance largely under wraps, actor David Harbour, who reprises his role as Alexei Shostakov, also known as Red Guardian, may have inadvertently revealed a significant plot point concerning the villain's identity.
Robert Downey Jr. is set to portray the Latverian supervillain, a casting choice that has led to speculation about how the film will address the character's striking resemblance to the late Tony Stark. A recent interview with Variety saw Harbour asked to share a line from Doomsday out of context. He responded, in character as Red Guardian, with the words, "You … are Tony Stark."
This statement suggests that Red Guardian might be the one to acknowledge the visual similarity between Doctor Doom and Tony Stark, potentially inverting Iron Man's iconic "I am Iron Man" declaration. Given that Doctor Doom originates from an alternate Earth, the Fantastic Four members might not recognize Tony Stark. However, the main MCU Avengers would likely recognize the familiar face, making Red Guardian's potential line a significant moment for the film's narrative.
As Doctor Doom's mask has not been shown without it in any released footage, Marvel's approach to the villain's full appearance remains unclear. The inclusion of Robert Downey Jr. in a leading role suggests his face would be shown, though this is unconfirmed. Harbour's comment, if accurate, could represent a significant spoiler that has slipped through Marvel's notoriously tight security. Harbour, having previously appeared in MCU films like Black Widow and Thunderbolts*, would likely be aware of the studio's strict confidentiality rules.
Avengers: Doomsday boasts a large ensemble cast including Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Mackie as Captain America, Sebastian Stan as the Winter Soldier, Letitia Wright as Shuri, Paul Rudd as Ant-Man, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm, Pedro Pascal as Mister Fantastic, Joseph Quinn as the Human Torch, Ebon Moss-Bachrach as the Thing, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Florence Pugh as White Widow, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Patrick Stewart as Professor X, among many others. The film is scheduled to be followed by a sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars, in 2027.