Thunderbolts | Trailer 2

Thunderbolts* may 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 off a minor character in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, but has since grown into a fan favorite. The Winter Soldier 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 Bucky being the closest thing to an antagonist since The Winter Soldier. He’s always been a morally complicated character, even after his recovery from brainwashing, which is what makes him perfect for the Thunderbolts team. Even though he was considered the antagonist of Captain America 2, it’s hard to really consider him a villain because of his tragic history and lack of free will. Fans didn’t get a full idea of Bucky’s time becoming the Winter Soldier, but Stan’s Winter Soldier regret could potentially come to fruition as a future MCU project.