David Harbour Just Confirmed a Thunderbolts* + Violent Night Fan Theory

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In an intriguing twist for fans of multiple film universes, a casual joke in the upcoming Marvel movie “Thunderbolts” appears to link two seemingly unrelated cinematic worlds. The actor at the heart of this dual connection, David Harbour, has addressed this surprising crossover following its revelation. In a teaser clip for the much-anticipated MCU film, Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s character Valentina Allegra de Fontaine playfully calls Harbour’s Red Guardian “old Santa,” which caught viewers’ attention due to Harbour’s previous portrayal of Santa Claus in the 2022 action movie “Violent Night.”

This link has sparked fan theories about whether this was an intentional reference between franchises. Now, Harbour himself has shared his thoughts on the matter during a recent ComicBook interview, shedding light on the origins of this delightful Easter egg that has left both Marvel fans and holiday action movie enthusiasts thrilled.

When questioned regarding the “old Santa” remark, Harbour explained, “I don’t think it was actually used, but I suspect it might have been an ad-lib, possibly originating from an early script. However, I know the earliest version of this script was penned by Eric Pearson, a friend and colleague who has a knack for teasing me. So, it’s possible that it could have been included, but we never discussed it directly.

In the light of Harbour’s dual roles, the playful link between these films carries a special weight. For instance, in “Violent Night,” he played a rough-and-tumble Santa Claus who turned out to be Nikamund the Red, a fearsome Viking previously. This mirrors his Marvel character, Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, another bearded and imposing figure with “Red” in his title, making the nickname quite apt.

The freshly unveiled Thunderbolts movie snippets have given fans a significant glimpse into the film, featuring a squad of antiheroes such as Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, Hannah John-Kamen’s Ghost, Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, and Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent. The clips hint that Alexei Shostakov (played by Harbour) as Red Guardian may not have been planned for the team initially, as Valentina seems taken aback by his presence.

The humor in this context is layered, going beyond just referencing Harbour’s Santa role. In the movie “Violent Night,” Harbour’s character experiences a transition, starting as a fierce Viking warrior and ending up as the cherished Christmas figure – a progression that echoes the reformatory motifs central to “Thunderbolts,” a story about a band of ex-villains and morally questionable characters who strive for redemption by performing heroic deeds.

One fun theory posits that some fan speculations imply the movie “Violent Night” could potentially be linked to the broader Marvel Cinematic Universe through the “old Santa” reference. However, it’s highly unlikely that this is true. Yet, the asterisk next to “Thunderbolts*” (which is said to mean the Avengers aren’t involved) offers a humorous comparison with the plot of “Violent Night,” where an unforeseen hero emerges in a critical situation.

Although the “old Santa” reference may not have been intentionally planned as a cross-franchise connection, it embodies the type of witty meta-humor now synonymous with contemporary superhero movies. This humor subtly acknowledges actors’ diverse film roles without overtly violating the fourth wall. For fans of both franchises, it serves as an entertaining Easter egg, enhancing the anticipated collaboration film with an additional level of enjoyment.

Caught in a deadly trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disenchanted individuals find themselves compelled to undertake a perilous journey. This mission will push them to confront the deepest recesses of their pasts. Will this troubled team self-destruct or discover redemption and coalesce into something greater before it’s too late?

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2025-04-27 06:39