Robert Redford Is SHIELD Agent Alexander Pierce in CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE WINTER SOLDIER

There’s been a fair amount of discussion as to who legendary actor Robert Redford will be playing in sequel Captain America: The Winter Soldier – but with the official press release, issued by Marvel on the first day of filming, we finally know who Redford will be playing… and it definitely hasn’t been spoiled in the title, or anything like that.

Redford will play a senior agent of SHIELD, Alexander Pierce in Winter Soldier. It’s an extremely minor role from the comics (the character was a civilian surveillance major turned sleeper agent, turned bodyguard to Nick Fury). But you don’t cast an actor like Redford in a bit part, so you can expect the role of Pierce to be altered and beefed up significantly for the movie.

It’s all pointing to a little bit of a SHIELD-fest in The Winter Soldier, with Scarlett Johansson already confirmed for a major role in the sequel. Add in the premiere of Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D this autumn, and you’ve got yourself a pretty good few months for fans of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier hits cinemas on April 4, 2014.