Fan Casting Red Guardian in George Nolfi's Captain America

During World War II, the Soviet Union invented the identity of Red Guardian to be a Communist counterpart to Captain America. They chose their most decorated soldier, Volodymyr Fomin, and gave him additional special forces training, a shield patterned after the Captain's, and a uniform which would identify him as the Soviets' hero. Red Guardian served as a member of the Invaders at the behest of Stalin. At first, Red Guardian insisted on attempting to usurp Captain America's leadership of the team, but after realizing that Cap was a better leader of men he moderated his stance. The two icons of their respective ideologies soon formed grudging respect for each other, which over time turned into friendship. Fomin admitted to Cap he didn't always see eye to eye with Stalin's policies, and that he fought to protect his homeland, not the leadership. After World War II, Fomin retired from active duty to become an acrobat for a Russian circus. He maintained contact with Captain America after the War, which in turn led to Rogers's dismissal from the role during the McCarthy era. After Fomin retired from the role of Red Guardian, others were chosen to take up the mantle. It is speculated that the average Red Guardian served for about a decade before retirement. The role was retired altogether with the collapse of the Soviet Union.