David Harbour Teases Red Guardian’s Feud With Sam Wilson in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’ and Trash-Talking Captain America

Red Guardian has always considered himself a bigger deal than others perceive him to be. Since his introduction in ‘Black Widow’, Alexei Shostakov has boasted about his glory days and his supposed encounters with Captain America, much to the delight of fans who enjoy his outrageous claims. Recently, David Harbour hinted that this rivalry might finally come to a climax in ‘Avengers: Doomsday’.

During a fan event at Comic Con Liverpool, Harbour discussed the dynamic between Red Guardian and Sam Wilson. Although the details were brief, they sparked considerable excitement among Marvel enthusiasts.

Reports from the convention indicate that Harbour mentioned Red Guardian genuinely believes he is on par with Captain America. He confidently asserted that he could defeat Sam, even using a particularly dismissive insult to describe the current Cap. However, as the sources for this quote were secondhand, it’s advisable to approach the exact wording with caution.

This playful jab aligns perfectly with Alexei’s character. He is a man whose self-assurance far exceeds his actual accomplishments, and the notion of him sizing up Anthony Mackie’s Captain America is precisely the kind of humor fans have been anticipating.

The groundwork for this feud was laid back in 2021. In ‘Black Widow’, Red Guardian frequently boasts about battling Captain America, and Harbour himself played into this notion during the film’s virtual press conference, joking about a potential Red Guardian versus Captain America movie and even calling out Kevin Feige. Feige later teased fans about the possibility of Red Guardian facing off against Sam Wilson.

This playful banter has now been integrated into the broader Marvel narrative. With Mackie’s Sam Wilson stepping into the role of Captain America, Alexei has a new target for his bravado.

The tension between the two isn’t merely personal. Red Guardian is now part of the New Avengers, which includes Bucky Barnes, Yelena Belova, Ghost, John Walker, and himself. In ‘Avengers: Doomsday’, they will share the spotlight with the original Avengers, whom Sam Wilson is reportedly attempting to rebuild.

Harbour mentioned to Entertainment Weekly at San Diego Comic-Con that there is indeed trouble brewing between the two factions. He explained that the New Avengers believe they are making the right decisions, while others may not agree with their approach. Their methods of saving the world are simply different.

He used to be different.
Avengers: Doomsday arrives in theaters everywhere December 18. Get your tickets now: https://t.co/J5PUbxvAkc https://t.co/OUutSMZneq

— Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) August 15, 2026

This isn’t the first time Harbour has shared insights about the film. In an interview with Variety, when asked to recite a line from the movie, he humorously responded in Alexei’s Russian accent by saying, “You are Tony Stark.” This sparked a wave of theories regarding Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom, though it may have just been a joke.

He also mentioned to Deadline that the film will impact the relationship between Red Guardian and Yelena, hinting at a potential bromance between Red Guardian, Winter Soldier, and US Agent. At Rose City Comic Con, he praised the film’s scale, comparing it to ‘Captain America: Civil War’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War’.

‘Avengers: Doomsday’ is set to hit theaters on December 18 and is directed by Anthony and Joe Russo. Robert Downey Jr. stars as Doctor Doom, and the cast features heroes from three universes, including the Avengers, the X-Men, and the Fantastic Four. Footage has revealed the Avengers, New Avengers, and Fantastic Four gathered in one meeting room, hinting at the tension Harbour described.

Harbour also appeared at San Diego Comic-Con Málaga in October alongside Mackie and Winston Duke, where the cast joked about the film’s destructive scale. Their off-screen camaraderie suggests a warm friendship among the actors, even if their characters may be at odds.

For many viewers, the charm of a feud between Red Guardian and Sam Wilson lies in how low the stakes feel compared to the film’s multiversal threat. Amidst a movie filled with galaxy-ending drama, a petty squabble between a self-proclaimed legend and the official Captain America provides a refreshing dose of humor. It also gives Harbour another opportunity to shine.

Ultimately, it remains to be seen whether this feud will escalate into a full-blown fight or remain a running gag. Fans will find out in December.

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