Bucky’s MCU Return Is Way Better Than Him Being Captain America’s Replacement

Bucky Barnes could have easily replaced Captain America in the MCU, but Thunderbolt* It’s expected to open up an exciting new path for the Marvel veteran. Sebastian Stan first appeared in 2011 as James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes. captain america/the first avengerthat is, his return in 2025 will be Thunderbolt* He’s in his 14th year in the MCU, making him one of the series’ longest-running characters. Bucky Barnes is also one of the most changed characters in the MCU. Thunderbolt* This trend is expected to continue.

First introduced as Steve Rogers’ childhood best friend and Captain America’s ally, Bucky Barnes becomes the Hydra-controlled Winter Soldier, later an Avenger, and Sam Wilson’s new Captain America partner. It became. It was great to see Bucky Barnes’ redemption story unfold over the course of several MCU projectsand this almost resulted in a huge step forward avengers: endgame. Marvel Studios avoided making Bucky a bona fide superhero, but his future story Thunderbolt* is an even better combination.

Bucky could have been Captain America’s MCU successor

Steve Rogers chooses Sam Wilson to replace Captain America

Steve Rogers, played by Chris Evans, lowered his shield after Thanos’ defeat in the 2019 Battle of Earth. avengers/endgameInstead, he chose to retire to the past with Peggy Carter after returning the Infinity Stones to their respective timelines. But he couldn’t leave the MCU without Captain America, and he returned to pass the mantle of patriotism to his successor, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson. Sam is a perfect fit for Captain America, and this follows in the footsteps of Marvel Comics’ Captain America, but many wanted Bucky Barnes instead of Rogers..

falcon and winter soldier We saw Bucky Barnes reveal that Rogers had talked about passing the shield and the mantle of Captain America to Sam Wilson. This could imply that Rodgers offered Bucky the position in the first place. This makes sense given the fact that they are childhood friends, but Bucky is already a super soldier and becomes Captain America in Marvel Comicslong before Sam Wilson. Nevertheless, the job was left to Sam, and this might have actually worked out perfectly for Bucky Barnes.

Thunderbolts* is a much better future for Bucky than Captain America

Bucky Barnes becomes an independent hero in Thunderbolts*

Instead of becoming Captain America, and perhaps a member of the New Avengers team, Bucky Barnes has a future within a different super-powered group. Thunderbolt*. Bucky is said to be the de facto leader of the MCU’s original Thunderbolts team, even though he wasn’t featured heavily in the film’s first teaser trailer. This suggests that Bucky helps unite the members of the Thunderbolts, giving real purpose to people like him, people with skeletons in their closets and weapons considered expendable. will help.

Since becoming the Winter Soldier under Hydra’s control, Bucky Barnes has been a morally gray MCU character. Even after he got out of his hydra conditioning, Bucky still uses brutal methods to achieve his goals, making him the very epitome of an anti-hero.and the perfect candidate to form and lead the upcoming Thunderbolts team. This is a far more powerful future for Bucky Barnes in the MCU than taking on the role of Captain America. Bucky isn’t quite as heroic as Captain America, but he’s a perfect fit for the Thunderbolts.

Thunderbolt* can complete Bucky’s redemption.

Bucky Barnes struggles with his past as the Winter Soldier

his escape at the end captain america/winter soldier Bucky Barnes has spent the past few decades under Hydra’s mind control, committing assassinations and heinous acts, but the MCU begins Bucky Barnes’ redemption story. Although his stay in Wakanda finally freed him from Hydra’s conditioning, falcon and winter soldier It was proven that he has not yet fully accepted his actions as the Winter Soldier.. Leading the Thunderbolts together in Phase 5 may be the best way for him to ultimately move forward.

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By spending time with the dysfunctional Thunderbolts, Bucky may prove that he’s not all that bad and has actually been doing his best over the years to atone and make up for his actions as the Winter Soldier. I don’t know. He seems to embrace more brutal tendencies in the film’s teaser trailer. Thunderbolt*hints that his redemption arc may be completeAnd he may be comfortable with his identity, whether as the Winter Soldier or under the lesser-used moniker of White Wolf. Bucky Barnes can be an independent, well-rounded hero. Thunderbolt*is no longer associated with Captain America.

Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is a superhero movie based on the comic book team of the same name. This movie serves as part of the fifth phase of movies in the MCU. The film stars Bucky Barnes, Elena Belova, Wyatt Russell, Red Guardian, and more as an unlikely group of heroes and villains who come together to fight for good.

director

jake schreier

release date

May 2, 2025

studio

marvel studios

writer

Lee Sung Jin, Eric Pearson, Joanna Caro

Upcoming MCU movies