David Harbour walks back his Avengers: Doomsday spoiler
Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom has raised a major question about Marvel’s multiverse plans. Will Victor von Doom be connected to Downey’s former role as Tony Stark, or will Doom keep his mask on so familiar heroes do not have to confront a villain who looks like their old ally?
David Harbour appeared to provide an answer during an interview earlier this year. The Thunderbolts* actor has now changed his story, however, and says he never revealed that detail.
Potential spoilers for Avengers: Doomsday follow.
What David Harbour originally said
In August, Variety asked Harbour for an out-of-context line from Doomsday. While pointing, he reportedly said, “You … are Tony Stark.”
Read literally, that line would suggest that Downey’s Doctor Doom removes his mask and is recognisable as the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Tony Stark. It would also imply that Harbour’s Red Guardian addresses him directly as Tony Stark.
That interpretation is now in doubt. During a New York Comic Con conversation with
, Harbour was asked about the comment and responded, “Did I say that I said that?” He then suggested that audiences may have invented the quote.
A different version of the moment
Harbour said the line he remembers delivering involved the Red Guardian counting down from five. He added that “something very important happens” once the countdown ends.
He also said, “I don’t know about the Tony Stark thing.” The original remark may have resulted from a misunderstanding, although it is equally possible that Marvel’s publicity team asked him to correct or soften an accidental spoiler.
For now, there is no confirmed answer about whether Doctor Doom’s face will be tied to Tony Stark’s identity. Harbour’s reputation for playing the unpredictable Red Guardian has made the situation even harder to read.
Avengers: Doomsday release details
Audiences will not have to wait much longer to see how the film handles Doctor Doom’s identity and appearance. The movie is expected to bring together established MCU characters, new arrivals including the Fantastic Four, and figures from the former Fox Marvel films, including Patrick Stewart’s Charles Xavier.
It will be the first Avengers film in seven years and is scheduled to open in Australian cinemas on December 18, subject to local release scheduling.
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