Summary
Marvel Studios is set to unveil its latest team-up film,Thunderbolts, next year, featuring agroup of unlikely heroes. For most of the cast, this marks their second outing within the Marvek Cinematic Universe. However, for Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, this marks the character’s eighth appearance in thirteen years. With the hero set to appear alongside a cast of newcomers in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, what does that mean for Bucky Barnes beyondThunderbolts?
With the character having been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since Phase 1, Stan’s Bucky remains one of the few original actors from the early days, with most of the core cast having moved on to other projects. Throughout the years, Bucky has rebuilt himself from a broken individual into a hero who, at times, has made questionable choices but has always owned up to his mistakes. With that in mind,Thunderboltsfeels like the perfect sendoff for the character.
Bucky’s Time Within the Marvel Cinematic Universe
When Sebastian Stan signed on forCaptain America: The First Avenger, the actor had no clue what would become of his role as Bucky Barnes. In fact, in numerous interviews, he has revealed he was under the impression that it was a one-time appearance. ThenCaptain America: The Winter Soldiercame around and made Bucky Barnes an integral part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe moving forward. Chris Evans' Steve Rogers was forced to come to terms with the fact that his best-friend had survived the fall from the train, and had been turned into a weapon. As time went on, we began to learn some of thethings Bucky did while being mind-controlled, includingkilling Tony Stark’s parents, a revelation that caused the huge fight between the trio inCaptain America: Civil War. Despite his past crimes, Bucky would eventually become a hero in his own right. He would go on to seek refuge in Wakanda, before ultimately stepping up to aid the Avengers in their battle against Thanos and his minions. His biggest turn as the character, however, would ultimately come inThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier, whereBucky’s struggles with PTSDwere finally addressed.
It’s during the Disney+ series that we finally come to understand why Steve choseSam Wilson to carry the Captain America mantlerather than Bucky - something the Winter Soldier is more than grateful for. It’s also the series where Bucky seems to finally get a happy ending of sorts, having gone from a mind-controlled weapon to a true civilian. Which is why seeing him become a much-lighter character who seems to have found a calling as a government official seems like the perfect ending for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Rumors of Bucky’s Storyline in Thunderbolts
News that Bucky would be playing a government official inThunderboltsactually came from Stan’s co-star, Wyatt Russell, revealing that the character would be a Congressman in the film. However, that doesn’t seem to be the only news regarding Bucky’s role in the film. During the film’s production, rumors began circulating that the character would barely be in the film as Stan reportedly joined filming later down the line. This led to the speculation that Bucky could either be killed off in the movie, or that his role simply won’t be as big as many seem to think, despite him being heavily included in promotional photos for the project. None of this has been confirmed, of course, so outside of Bucky being a Congressman, it’s unclear exactly what Marvel Studios has planned for the fan-favorite character. With that said, though, if Thunderbolts were to serve as the finale for Stan’s character, it would be a fitting end for a character that has endured plenty of trauma throughout his journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He already had to say goodbye to his best friend, Steve Rogers, the only other person who truly understood him and that he had a true connection with. Not to mention, following The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it seems the character has finally found himself in a good place.
Allowing Bucky to finish his story with a happy ending, of sorts, would be the best decision Marvel Studios could make. There isn’t that much left for Bucky to do storywise. Giving him the hero’s sendoff inThunderboltsseems like the perfect conclusion to his story. He’s been redeemed, he’s found a way to survive despite his trauma. Whether Marvel Studios decides to let him retreat into a quiet life, much like Steve Rogers, or opts to kill off the character in a heroic fashion,Thunderboltsshould ultimately be the conclusion to a decades-long journey for the Winter Soldier. Especially as the studio seeks to prepare a new cast of heroes for the spotlight moving forward.
Thunderbolts,Marvel Studios’team-up featuring unexpected heroes, is currently slated to hit theaters on May 2nd, 2025.
