Bucky Barnes could have easily become Captain America’s replacement in theMCU, butThunderboltsis expected to pave an exciting new path for the Marvel veteran. Sebastian Stan first appeared as James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes in 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avenger, so his return in 2025’sThunderboltswill mark 14 years in the MCU, which makes him one of the franchise’s longest-running characters.Bucky Barnes is also one of the MCU’s most changed characters, andThunderbolts*is expected to continue this trend.
First introduced as Steve Rogers' childhood best friend and ally to Captain America, Bucky Barnes went on to become the HYDRA-controlled Winter Soldier, and later an Avenger and partner toSam Wilson’s new Captain America.It has been brilliant to watch Bucky Barnes' redemption arc develop over the duration of several MCU projects, and this almost took a huge step forward inAvengers: Endgame. While Marvel Studios avoided making Bucky a bona fide superhero, hisupcoming narrative inThunderbolts*is an even better match.
Bucky Could Have Been Captain America’s MCU Replacement
Chris Evans' Steve Rogershung up his shield following Thanos' defeat during the Battle of Earth in 2019’sAvengers: Endgame, instead choosing to retire in the past with Peggy Carter after returning the Infinity Stones to their respective timelines. He couldn’t leave the MCU without a Captain America, however, so he returned to pass on the patriotic mantle to his successor, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson.While Sam is a great fit for Captain America, and this follows in the footsteps of his Marvel Comics counterpart, many wanted Bucky Barnes to replace Rogers.
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The Falcon and the Winter Soldiersaw Bucky Barnes reveal that Rogers had spoken to him about passing the shield and Captain America mantle on to Sam Wilson. This could imply that Rogers offered the position to Bucky first, andthis would make sense, given the fact that they are childhood friends, Bucky is already a super soldier, and he becomes Captain America in Marvel Comics, long before Sam Wilson. Nevertheless, the job went to Sam, and this might have actually worked out perfectly for Bucky Barnes.
Thunderbolts* Is A Far Better Future For Bucky Than Captain America
Bucky Barnes Can Be An Independent Hero In Thunderbolts*
Instead of becoming Captain America, and perhaps a member of the new Avengers team, Bucky Barnes has a future among a different superpowered group inThunderbolts*. Bucky has been described as the de facto leader of theMCU’s first Thunderbolts team, even though he wasn’t featured heavily in the movie’s first teaser trailer. This suggests thatBucky will have a hand in bringing the Thunderbolts' members together, helping to give people just like him - those with skeletons in their closets and deemed expendable weapons - a real purpose.
Ever since he became the Winter Soldier under HYDRA’s control, Bucky Barnes has been a morally gray MCU character. Even after he broke free of his HYDRA conditioning,Bucky still uses brutal methods to achieve his goals, making him the epitome of an antihero, and the perfect candidate to form and lead theupcoming Thunderbolts team. This is a much stronger future for Bucky Barnes in the MCU than taking over as Captain America would have been. Bucky is not heroic enough to be Captain America, but fits in perfectly with the Thunderbolts.
Thunderbolts* Can Complete Bucky’s Redemption
Bucky Barnes Has Struggled With His Past As The Winter Soldier
His escape at the end ofCaptain America: The Winter SoldierbeganBucky Barnes' redemption arc in the MCU, as he had spent previous decades carrying out assassinations and performing heinous acts under HYDRA’s mind-control. His time in Wakanda saw him finally break free from HYDRA’s conditioning, butThe Falcon and the Winter Soldierproved he still hadn’t quite come to terms with his actions as the Winter Soldier. Bringing together and leading the Thunderbolts team in Phase 5 could be the best way for him to finally move on.
10 Superpowers Bucky Barnes Still Hasn’t Used After 13 Years In The MCU
Bucky Barnes has had a long journey in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but has still only scratched the surface of his comic potential for powers.
Spending time with the dysfunctional Thunderbolts could prove to Bucky that he isn’t so bad, and has in fact spent many years trying his utmost to atone and make-up for his actions as the Winter Soldier.He seems to be embracing his more brutal tendencies in the teaser trailer forThunderbolts*, suggesting his redemption arc may be complete, and he may be at peace with his identity, whether that be as the Winter Soldier or under thelittle-used moniker of White Wolf. Bucky Barnes can become an independent, well-rounded hero inThunderbolts*, no longer associated with Captain America.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
