Two key actors from the hit series Stranger Things are set to share the screen in the massive upcoming Marvel film Avengers: Doomsday. David Harbour and Joseph Quinn, who played fan-favorite characters on the Netflix show, have both been confirmed as part of the movie’s extensive cast. This sets up a behind-the-scenes reunion that fans of both franchises are excited to see.
The confirmation came as Marvel Studios slowly revealed the large group of actors joining the film. Harbour will return as Alexei Shostakov, also known as Red Guardian, a role he first played in Black Widow. Joseph Quinn will be making his Marvel debut as Johnny Storm, the Human Torch, in The Fantastic Four: First Steps before appearing in Doomsday. While their characters did not directly interact in Stranger Thingsโwhere Harbour played Chief Jim Hopper and Quinn played the beloved Eddie Munsonโseeing the two actors together in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a major moment for fans.
How David Harbour and Joseph Quinn Fit into the Marvel Story
David Harbour’s Red Guardian is a member of the Thunderbolts, a team of anti-heroes and reformed villains. His involvement in Avengers: Doomsday confirms his character survives the events of the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. Joseph Quinn’s Human Torch is a core member of the Fantastic Four, a team expected to have a very significant role in the battle against Doctor Doom.
The plot of Avengers: Doomsday is largely under wraps, but it will involve a multiversal crisis known as incursions, where different realities collide and threaten to destroy each other. Robert Downey Jr. is playing the central villain, Doctor Doom, who is expected to manipulate these events for his own gain. With the Fantastic Four often being Doom’s classic rivals in the comics, and the Thunderbolts likely being recruited for a major fight, the paths of Harbour and Quinn’s characters are almost certain to cross in the massive crossover event.
Fan Reactions to the Stranger Things and Marvel Crossover
News of the reunion has sparked positive reactions from fans online. Many have expressed excitement at the prospect of seeing the two actors together in a new, major franchise. On social media, comments on Marvel’s casting announcements highlighted how fun it will be to see “Hopper” and “Eddie” in the same Marvel movie, even if their characters don’t directly reference their Stranger Things connection.
The excitement extends beyond just this confirmed reunion. There are persistent rumors that Marvel Studios is interested in other Stranger Things stars for future projects. A recent report suggested that Joe Keery, who plays Steve Harrington, has been eyed for an undisclosed role in the MCU, with fan speculation suggesting he could play a character like Cyclops or Nova. This indicates Marvel sees value in recruiting talent from the globally popular Netflix series as it builds its next generation of stories.
The Massive Scale of Avengers: Doomsday
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of the largest ensemble casts in superhero movie history. Directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film brings together heroes from almost every corner of the Marvel universe. The cast includes MCU stalwarts like Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Anthony Mackie (Captain America), and Letitia Wright (Shuri/Black Panther), alongside the new Fantastic Four team featuring Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards.
In a major move, the film will also feature the return of actors from 20th Century Fox’s X-Men films. This includes Patrick Stewart as Professor X, Ian McKellen as Magneto, and James Marsden as Cyclops, officially merging those characters into the main MCU storyline. The inclusion of such a wide array of heroes suggests the scale of the threat posed by Doctor Doom will require a truly unified front.
Co-director Joe Russo described Doctor Doom as “three-dimensional and one of the most complex comic book characters.” He felt Robert Downey Jr. was “the one person who could take on the role.”
Also Read:
The Road to Doomsday and Release Details
The movie’s journey to the screen saw significant changes. It was originally announced as Avengers: The Kang Dynasty with a different villain and director. After creative shifts, the Russo brothers returned to the franchise, and the story was reconfigured around Doctor Doom, with the title changing to Avengers: Doomsday. Filming began in April 2025 and wrapped in September of the same year.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to be released in the United States on December 18, 2026. It will serve as the penultimate chapter of the MCU’s Multiverse Saga, to be followed by Avengers: Secret Wars in 2027. For Marvel fans, the confirmed cast reunion of David Harbour and Joseph Quinn is an exciting early detail in what promises to be a landmark cinematic event.
Also Read: Watch Dear X: Global Streaming Guide for the 2025 K-Drama
