David Harbour is done filming his role as Red Guardian in Black Widow. The recent Stranger Things star officially joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe this summer when he was announced as a cast member in Scarlett Johansson’s solo film. The addition of Harbour was previously reported, but the confirmation by Marvel Studios also brought word that he would play the character of Alexi Shostakov in the MCU.

Harbour is one of my new additions to the MCU who will make their debuts in Black Widow. He joins Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova), O-T Fagbenle, and Rachel Weisz as first time players in the shared universe. Unlike some of his costars though, this is not Harbour’s first exposure to the superhero genre - having also starred in Hellboy earlier this year. While that role and movie did not go over well, Harbour quickly moved on to the MCU and has already wrapped.

He confirmed this through a post on his Instagram, revealing his clean-shaven face and removal of the long, scruffy beard he wore to play Red Guardian. Harbour had fun with the announcement, as he cradled a mannequin that certainly isn’t for his character and shared his appreciation for the “bright burly hope of Russia” that is Alexi. Take a look, below.

With Harbour finishing up his part on Black Widow, it is a sign that production is winding down as a whole. Filming began early this year, well before Marvel officially confirmed that the movie was coming and prior to Black Widow’s death in Avengers: Endgame. As a result, Black Widow will be a prequel showcasing Natasha Romanoff’s life between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War. She will be on the run during this point in the MCU story, which is how audiences will get to meet Red Guardian next May.

Depending on how the events of Black Widow play out, this could be the first of many appearances for Harbour in the MCU. The film is still set several years in the MCU’s past, but he could always return for a present 2023-set story if he survives. Considering how much of a fan-favorite actor Harbour is, there is already a strong contingency of fans who hope he isn’t a one-and-done actor for Marvel. Before fans see for themselves what happens to Alexi in Black Widow, they’re still waiting for a true official look at him in the movie. He can be glimpsed in the D23 poster for the film, but it is only a side-profile of the character and not a full look at his red super suit. With a trailer expected to arrive before the end of the year, it may not be that much longer before Black Widow’s marketing campaign unveils Red Guardian and much more from the film.

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Source: David Harbour

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