Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Thunderbolts*.Sebastian Stan’sBucky Barnes, one of the stars ofThunderbolts*, is one of the most beloved characters in theMarvel Cinematic Universe, but it seems like the franchise can’t find a way to put the former Winter Soldier in the spot he deserves to be even after 14 years.In the comics, Bucky was Steve Rogers' first successor as Captain America between him and Sam. I always thought that would be the case forBucky’s MCU journey, as not only is he Steve’s best friend, but Stan had one of Marvel’s longest contracts early on, and Bucky is a super-soldier.
However, Bucky was skipped in favor of Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson becoming the new lead of theMCU’s Captain America movies. While he lost that important part of his Marvel Comics story, I felt like Bucky’s confirmed presence among the stackedcast of Marvel’sThunderboltscould make up for it, as Marvel Studios' President Kevin Feige confirmed Bucky would be the leader of the team. After having watchedThunderbolts, I still have the feeling that even after 14 years of his debut in the franchise,the MCU is still sadly wasting Bucky Barnes' potential.
Bucky Barnes Has One Of The Most Interesting Stories In The Entire MCU
The Character Has To Face An Incredibly Dark Past
Becoming Captain America might not be part of Bucky’s MCU story, but the character surely has one of the MCU journeys with the greatest number of interesting — and heartbreaking — twists. It all dates back to World War II, when Bucky served with his best friend, Steve Rogers, aka Captain America, before he seemingly fell to his death. Then came the darkest period of his life. While we knowthe Winter Soldier-era Bucky was mind-controlled by HYDRAto murder so many people, being tortured between assignments, it was also the period where Marvel seemed to have a clear plan for him.
I love howBucky’s journey is one of self-reflection and reclaiming power over his life. His briefBlack Pantherappearance helped show how he was freed from HYDRA’s mind control, withThe Falcon and the Winter Soldiershowing how Bucky was getting help to deal with his past and trying to atone for the sins he committed as the Winter Soldier. Despite the fact that the series was key to Bucky’s journey in multiple ways, Sam Wilson becoming Captain America was the true focus of the show. Going intoThunderbolts*, Bucky became a congressman, trying a different approach to justice.
Thunderbolts* Still Sidelines Bucky Barnes Despite Him Having A Key Role
The Former Winter Soldier Was Absent From The Action For Too Long
Since Bucky was a congressman and not someone doing Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine’s bidding beforeThunderbolts*,he does not get trapped in the vault with John Walker, Yelena Belova, Bob, and Ghost. As such, he is absent from a large portion of the movie, with those four characters bonding and becoming the basis for the Thunderbolts to form into a team. Since Feige claimed Bucky would be the leader of the team, I was expecting Sebastian Stan’s MCU character to be deeply involved in the movie, which he simply was not.
I don’t mean to say that Bucky did not play a key role inThunderbolts*. Bucky was the one to make the Thunderbolts become a team and go after Valentina, with his dark past and popularity in the MCU helping the other characters understand that they could be heroes, too. That said,it was clear that Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova wasThunderbolts*’s main character and the de-facto leader of the team, not Bucky. He takes some time to become an active part of the story, and when he does, Bucky is not the main character I expected him to be.
Avengers: Doomsday And Secret Wars Might Be The MCU’s Last Chance To Give Bucky His Due
A Fracnhise Reboot Could Be Coming Soon
I really wantedThunderbolts*to give Bucky Barnes the lead role that he deserves after his 14-year MCU journey so far, becauseI don’t know how much time we still have with him. Sebastian Stan is now 42, and while he could theoretically keep playing Bucky for another decade, I don’t know if that is necessarily what his career plan looks like. With Captain America actor Chris Evans mostly moving on from the MCU, Stan, who joined the franchise at the same time as Evans and followed him throughout the MCU, could be on a similar trajectory soon.
Geraldine Viswanathan
Mel
Avengers: Secret Warsis rumored to reboot the MCU, which would be the perfect way for veterans to leave and allow new actors to breathe life into characters like the original Avengers, Bucky Barnes, and more. With Robert Downey Jr.’s Doctor Doom being a major threat, there is also the possibility that beloved heroes may die, which could be the case for Stan’s Bucky, making for a heartbreaking death that impacts several characters. For these reasons, I hopeBucky Barnesplays a key role inAvengers: DoomsdayandSecret Wars, as it could be Marvel’s last chance to do so.
