In Marvel’s latest ensemble bombshell Thunderbolts*, David Harbour doesn’t just reprise his role as the grizzled, often misguided Red Guardian—he elevates it. With a performance that deftly blends rough humor, lingering emotional scars, and a surprising thirst for redemption, Harbour’s Alexei Shostakov stands as one of the most layered and compelling characters in the MCU’s ever-expanding tapestry. And, as fans now know, his journey is far from over.
How Thunderbolts* Weaves in Emotional Threads From Black Widow
While Thunderbolts* isn’t technically a sequel to Black Widow, director Jake Schreier makes sure that the emotional legacy of that film lives on through the dynamic between Harbour’s Red Guardian and Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova. “It’s important to everyone to preserve that legacy of something that emotionally meant so much to people,” Schreier told GamesRadar+ in a recent interview. And preserve it they did.
The film doesn’t just borrow from their backstories—it builds upon them. The estranged family vibe between Alexei, Yelena, and the absent (but dearly missed) Natasha Romanoff is palpable. Even without Scarlett Johansson, whose presence is sorely missed on set and in the MCU itself, Harbour and Pugh manage to evoke the emotional resonance that her character once anchored. As Pugh poignantly put it, she only hopes Johansson “is proud” of where her Marvel journey has led Yelena.
David Harbour’s Desire for More: The Untapped Potential of Melina Vostokoff
One of the most intriguing undercurrents in Thunderbolts* is Harbour’s own quiet campaign for the return of Rachel Weisz’s Melina Vostokoff. The fate of Melina—left ambiguously hanging after the freed Black Widows make their escape in Black Widow—is a mystery that Harbour seems eager to explore. And he’s not just hoping; he’s got a pitch.
“I’ve talked to [Marvel] people about Melina,” Harbour revealed during a recent press junket. “There was a beautiful [deleted] scene with me and Rachel [kissing] after the crash. It was one of my favorite moments from Black Widow.” The scene may be non-canonical, but that doesn’t mean it can’t inspire future storytelling. Harbour envisions Melina’s return not just as a reunion for Alexei, but as a source of “interesting complexity” that could deepen Red Guardian's character arc even further.
Balancing Franchise Commitments: How Harbour Juggled Stranger Things and Marvel
Behind the scenes, Harbour’s workload has been nothing short of heroic. Juggling filming for Thunderbolts*, Stranger Things Season 5, and the indie film A Working Man simultaneously, Harbour showcased the same tenacity his on-screen persona often relies on. And he did it with the help of some serious coordination between Disney and Netflix.
“These franchises understand how important they are to each other,” Harbour said. “So I think Disney and Netflix try to make things work out, and people try to take care of you to make you happy. So it’s been very nice that everyone can work stuff out.” It’s a testament not only to Harbour’s star power but also to his undeniable passion for the roles he takes on—a passion that clearly extends to both Alexei and Jim Hopper.
The Lighter Moments: Harbour’s Chemistry with Pugh and a Touch of Comic Relief
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Thunderbolts* is the chemistry between Harbour and Pugh. Their banter crackles onscreen, offering moments of levity in a film that doesn’t shy away from darker themes. Whether it’s Harbour joking about Alexei’s questionable hygiene habits (he insists the character doesn’t actually gargle dish soap) or Pugh playfully calling herself “Sassy Karen” for emailing Kevin Feige, the duo brings a grounded humanity to a team of misfits seeking redemption.
And speaking of Feige, Pugh’s fearless insistence that she perform her own skyscraper stunt—falling off the Merdeka 118 tower in Kuala Lumpur—adds another layer to the film’s adrenaline-fueled appeal. Inspired by Tom Cruise’s Mission: Impossible antics, Pugh pushed to keep the sequence in the film, turning Yelena’s opening moment into a signature Marvel spectacle. Harbour may not be scaling buildings, but he’s right there with her in spirit—and storytelling importance.
Red Guardian’s Future: A Role Reclaimed and Reinvented
For a character who started in the MCU as a somewhat comedic foil to Captain America, David Harbour’s Red Guardian has undergone a remarkable transformation. Thunderbolts* doesn’t just give Alexei a mission—it gives him a purpose, a past to reckon with, and a chance at real connection. Even as he jokes, stumbles, and sometimes drinks a little too much, Alexei’s heart is unmistakably in the right place.
And with Harbour’s passion, the character’s untapped potential, and a Marvel storyline that’s only beginning to scratch the surface, one thing is clear: Red Guardian isn’t just surviving in the MCU—he’s thriving. Whether that means reuniting with Melina, teaming up again with Yelena, or carving out his own path separate from the Widow legacy, Harbour’s Alexei is a hero (or anti-hero) we weren’t sure we needed, but now can’t imagine the MCU without.