David Harbour says he never spoiled Avengers: Doomsday. In an interview with ScreenRant, the actor who plays Red Guardian denied that “You… are Tony Stark” is a line he says in the film, and offered a different one in its place. As IGN reports, the line he now says is real is a countdown.
What Harbour said
The saga began in August, when Variety asked Harbour to recite a line from the film “completely out of context”. He answered in Red Guardian’s Russian accent with “You… are Tony Stark”, which fans read as confirmation that Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom wears Tony Stark’s face. We covered the fallout at the time in our report on the supposed Tony Stark twist.
Harbour now says the quote doesn’t hold up. According to IGN, he told ScreenRant: “No, I think you guys make this stuff up.” He says the line he gave Variety was “Five, four, three, two, [one]”, and that co-star Wyatt Russell sent him an article claiming he had “just ruined the movie”. His verdict: “If I did, I’m sorry. I don’t say that in the movie.”
He didn’t leave the question empty-handed. Harbour told ScreenRant he does say “Five, four, three, two, one” in the film, calling it “a big spoiler”. He added that he counts down from five at one point, “and something very important happens.”
Where that leaves the Tony Stark line
IGN points out that Variety’s article is still online, so the August quote remains on record next to Harbour’s denial. IGN’s own reading is that someone other than Red Guardian could say “You… are Tony Stark” in the film, or that nobody says it at all. That is speculation, and neither Marvel nor the studio has weighed in.
IGN also doubts Red Guardian would be the first character to react if Doom’s face is revealed. It expects one of the main Avengers to get that moment, with Steve Rogers, Thor and Bruce Banner named as candidates. The outlet adds that the reveal will happen eventually, whether in Doomsday or in next year’s Secret Wars.
Marvel’s own hints
IGN reports that directors Joe and Anthony Russo told Fandango last month to expect “a very surprising ending” to Doomsday. Joe Russo said: “It’s a very surprising movie and that’s all we’ll say about it.” IGN adds that the film should run around two and a half hours, though reshoots were reportedly under way this month, so the final cut may still change.
The loose-lipped cast has been a running theme. Sebastian Stan has said he doesn’t know what happens, because the film was shot without a full script. GamesRadar’s write-up of Harbour’s denial frames his countdown as a replacement spoiler. The film also feeds into the finale that Kevin Feige says won’t lead to an MCU reboot.
Did David Harbour spoil Avengers: Doomsday?
Harbour says no. He told ScreenRant he doesn’t say “You… are Tony Stark” in the film and that the line he gave Variety was a countdown. Variety’s original article remains online, and Marvel hasn’t confirmed either version.
What is the countdown line in Avengers: Doomsday?
Harbour says he counts down “Five, four, three, two, one” at some point in the film and that “something very important happens” afterwards. He hasn’t said what, or who else is in the scene.
When is Avengers: Doomsday out?
Wikipedia lists a release date of December 18, 2026. We haven’t confirmed UAE cinema dates yet, so check local listings closer to the time.
