Related
Russia ’s answer to Captain America , the Red Guardian , is join the MCU in Marvel’sBlack Widowmovie . The Russian super soldier has a account that pop off back to the 1960s . Since then , the character has become snarl in the story of Captain America , Black Widow , and Hawkeye .
After being let the cat out of the bag about for age , Scarlet Johansson ’s Natasha Romanoff is finally getting a solo motion picture , despite being tragically kill off in a polar moment inAvengers : Endgame . Directed by Cate Shortland , Black Widowis the next movie in the MCU . Set for a May 2020 release day of the month , Black Widowtakes place afterCaptain America : Civil Warbut beforeAvengers : Infinity War . The moving-picture show ’s story comes at a time where Natasha is a fugitive from justice on the test . Natasha will be on her own and without the Avengers when she has to confront her yesteryear .
Related : Black Widow ’s White Costume & Comic History Explained
Black Widowdives deep into Natasha ’s chequered past as she encounters several comic Holy Writ character , including the second Black Widow , Yelena Bolova ( Florence Pugh ) , the villainousTaskmaster , and David Harbour ’s Red Guardian aka Alexei Shostakov . But who is Alexei Shostakov , and how he is authoritative to Marvel Comics and the human race of Black Widow ?
Red Guardian’s Origin In Marvel Comics
Marvel ’s first Red Guardian , Alexei Shostakov , debuted in the pages ofThe Avengers # 43 in 1967 . He was a Russian citizen who had anarranged marriage with a youthful Natasha Romanoff . Both stop up becoming agents of the KGB . After Alexei developed a report as one of the Soviet Union ’s best pilots , the Soviets decided to apply him for an authoritative task , but it was decided that he could no longer be in physical contact with his wife . Alexei ’s last was faked , and Natasha moved on with her life history , unaware that her " utter " husband was being trained to be Russia ’s " Red Guardian " , their interpretation of Captain America .
During this fourth dimension , breeding consumed Alexei ’s liveliness , as realize him superior to Captain America was the KGB ’s ultimate objective . Alexei commit himself to his new intent , wee sure he worked as hard as he could to assist his masters . In the mid-1960s , Alexei was turn over a chance to prove himself when he went up against Black Widow and the Avengers . He unwrap his true identity to Natasha , who was shocked to chance upon that Alexei was still alert .
At the direction of the Soviets , Red Guardian faced his great test when he fight Captain America . Despite all of his training , he was ineffective to shoot down him . When his superior became convinced that Steve Rogers would win the fight , they intervened . As a subject of honor and regard for his opponent , Red Guardian discontinue them so that he could save Captain America and Black Widow . Red Guardian died so that Captain America - a man he had been groom to kill - could subsist .
Related : Every MCU Character Confirmed For Phase 4
Red Guardian’s Powers & Abilities Explained
As someone who was train to be like Captain America , Red Guardian is a up to fighter who has a great deal of experience in several form of martial arts . Red Guardian undergo intense training every day , so his strength and agility are near the limit of what a human can do . His scrap prowess was on video display when he effortlessly defeated Hawkeye , and while he could n’t drum Captain America , he did prove to be a formidable adversary worthy of Steve ’s regard , which talk volumes about his fighting ability . In combat , Alexei employs a weapon furnish to him by the KGB . Alexei wields an electronically - controlled " belt - disc " , which , as the name implies , attaches to his belt . Alexei throws the weapon with deadly truth , and the magnetic devices inside of it make it to generate to his clutches .
Nearly every version of the Red Guardian since Alexei does n’t use the belt - phonograph recording . alternatively , Red Guardians traditionally carry a steelshield similar to Captain America ’s . The primary difference is that it is n’t as undestroyable as the shield it was posture after .
Red Guardian’s Most Important Marvel Comics Stories
Alexei ’s story in Marvel Comics was curt lived , as he fail in only his second appearance , which was inAvengers # 44 . While it seemed that Alexei ’s story was over , Marvel found a way to expend him again decades subsequently . In Marvel Comics ' 2010 miniseries , Widowmaker , it was revealed that Alexei had in reality counterfeit his death a second clock time . Though the Avengers finish his account on a positive , redemptive distinction , Widowmakersends him back to being a scoundrel , and this time he is n’t run across as a sympathetic fictitious character who was pervert by the Russian government . In the series , Alexei has take on themantle of " Ronin " , an identity once used by Hawkeye . No longer calling himself the Red Guardian , the new Ronin becomes an assassin and tries to start a state of war between Russia and Japan . His program is thwarted by the commingle efforts of Black Widow , Hawkeye , and Mockingbird .
Due to Alexei ’s brusk lifespan in the cartoon strip , the character has n’t had much to do in the comic . However , he is n’t Marvel ’s only Red Guardian . There are few superhero claim that have been passed on to more characters than " Red Guardian " . Over the course of 50 age , multiple characters have used the name and costume . Some have been villains , while others are heroes who serve Russia . Other Red Guardians include Dr. Tania Belinksy ( a extremity of the Defenders ) , Josef Petkus , and the most late personification , Nicolai Krylenko . Regardless , the most recognizable and well - be intimate Red Guardian is still Alexei , simply because his first coming into court in the comics isone of Captain America ’s best storiesfrom the Silver Age .
touch : Black Widow ’s Solo Movie Undercuts The DCEU ’s Biggest Criticism
David Harbour Will Play Red Guardian In The MCU
Actor David Harbour is know for playing Jim Hopper , one of the main characters in the smasher Netflix seriesStranger thing . Harbour also trifle the rubric role in theHellboyreboot . It was confirm in April 2019 that theHellboystar would have a role inBlack Widow . At SDCC 2019 , it was formally announced that Harbour ’s Marvel fibre is the Alexei Shostakov version of the Red Guardian . At D23,Red Guardian ’s mask was revealed in a posterfor the film , which serves as substantiation that Harbour will indeed be suiting up as the Russian Captain America .
More : Tony Stark ’s Black Widow Role Could Be From Civil War ’s Deleted scenery
