thunderbolts* Could potentially be the end of Bucky Barnes’ MCU story, but there’s still a way for Marvel to fulfill Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier dream. Bucky started as a minor character in 2011 Captain America: The First AvengerBut has since grown into a fan favorite. The Winter Soldier It is revealed that Bucky actually survived his apparent death and was taken by HYDRA, who turned him into the brainwashed Winter Soldier. Since then, Bucky has had a long but rewarding journey of redemption.
The events of thunderbolts* Will show that Bucky is the closest thing to an antagonist since The Winter Soldier. He has always been a morally complex character, Even after his recovery from brainwashing, which is what makes him perfect for the Thunderbolts team. Although he was considered the antagonist of Captain America 2It’s hard to really consider him a villain because of his tragic history and lack of free will. Fans haven’t gotten a full idea of ​​Bucky’s time to become the Winter Soldier, but Stan’s Winter Soldier regret could potentially come to fruition as a future MCU project.
Sebastian Stan regrets not spending more time as the Winter Soldier
Stan explained his time as the Winter Soldier in an episode of The Happy sad confused Podcast with Josh Horowitz. He mentioned that Captain America: The Winter Soldier was his personal favorite project and that He wants them to explore more of the real Winter Soldier character. Stan also brings up the fact that Bucky isn’t as completely brainwashed in the comics as he was in the films, with moments where his memories come back to him. Fans were shown a few moments of this in Bucky’s current MCU story, but the scenes aren’t very well known.
The Winter Soldier discover in Captain America 2 Remains one of the MCU’s most tense moments as Steve is caught completely off guard. Although Bucky is key to the film, the actual Winter Soldier assassin scenes were rushed because the focus was on Steve and HYDRA’s downfall. Several later projects touched on Bucky’s murderous past, such as Captain America: Civil War And The Falcon and the Winter SoldierHowever The focus was on Bucky’s redemption and recovery from his trauma. As Stan pointed out, there wasn’t actually much time dedicated to the Winter Soldier’s real life as an assassin.
Bucky’s MCU future needs to explore his past more
Stan has had a long tenure as Bucky in the MCU, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if thunderbolts* was his last appearance. However, if he returns after the film, A prequel exploring the Winter Soldier’s early years would be a good idea to dismiss. Bucky is such a beloved character that there is definitely an audience for this project, and it would be something that Stan himself seems passionate about. Not similar Black Widow When the time for her solo film felt off, a Winter Soldier prequel project feels isolated enough at this point in the MCU.
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There is so much potential for a Winter Soldier prequel project. Bucky’s years as the Winter Soldier are greatly summarized in his MCU appearances, and it would be interesting to have A film or show that puts fans in Bucky’s point of view during his transformation. From the moment he rises from his near-death fall to the first time he regains some consciousness after being brainwashed, a Winter Soldier prequel would add some incredible depth to Bucky’s character, no matter what the character goes through in thunderbolts*.
- Director
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Jake Schrier
- Release date
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May 2, 2025