Warning! This article contains SPOILERS for Captain America: Brave New World.Captain America: Brave New World cemented Sam Wilson’s status as Steve Rogers’ successor, and it brought in an Avenger to help him get there. The Marvel Cinematic Universe is ready to have a big 2025. With nine TV series and three movies, the year holds many exciting stories for Marvel Studios. The first of the MCU’s 2025 movies is Captain America: Brave New World. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson finally appeared as Captain America on the big screen, and the actor delivered a solid performance in a key film for the future of the Marvel franchise.

In the film, Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross asks Sam Wilson to restart the Avengers. While he is hesitant at first, after Ross is sent to the Raft at the end of the movie, he tells Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon, that it is time to get a new Avengers team together. Before Sam Wilson could get to that point, a surprise addition to Captain America: Brave New World‘s cast was responsible for helping him get to that place. And it so happens that the important MCU cameo was from a returning Avenger.

Why Captain America: Brave New World’s Avenger Return Is Important To The Movie

Sam Wilson Needed To Hear What The Hero Had To Say

Captain America: Brave New World brought back one of the most beloved Avengers, Bucky Barnes. Sebastian Stan’s Marvel hero joined the team in the fight against Thanos in the last two Avengers movies. Bucky was initially said not to appear in the new Captain America film, which had fans upset, as not only had he appeared in all three of Chris Evans’ Captain America movies, but Bucky was also crucial to Sam Wilson’s journey in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Thankfully, Bucky showed up to help his friend at a time of need.

Bucky’s cameo in Captain America: Brave New World comes after Joaquin Torres — aka Falcon — almost dies. As Sam watches doctors tend to Joaquin, Bucky appears to talk to him at the hospital. Sebastian Stan’s fan-favorite Avenger provides Sam with the reᴀssurance he needs. Sam was doubting his claim to the Captain America mantle as he did not take the super-soldier serum Bucky and Steve Rogers did. However, Bucky told Sam that he was chosen not because of being the most powerful, but because he was a good person who would always do the right thing, which he needed to hear.

How Bucky’s Return In Brave New World Fits Into The MCU Timeline

Sebastian Stan Has Another MCU Movie In 2025

Captain America: Brave New World is only the first of two MCU movies this year to include Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. The character’s next appearance will be in May’s Thunderbolts*. Bucky will play a much bigger role in that MCU team movie, as the character serves as the leader of the Thunderbolts. Bucky’s Captain America: Brave New World cameo reveals a connection to his story in the upcoming MCU movie. According to Bucky, he is taking part in campaign events to run for Congress, which confirms the movie takes place before Thunderbolts* in the MCU timeline.

The reason for that is Thunderbolts*‘s trailers have already shown that Bucky does indeed become a congressman by the time the movie begins. In the footage from the MCU’s next 2025 movie, Bucky is at a hearing where he listens to Valentina Allegra de Fontaine tell Congress that the Avengers are not there to stop a major threat, but someone needs to. Bucky’s role as a congressman should get him close to Valentina, leading him to work with her to stop Sentry’s dark side, the Void, as the leader of the Thunderbolts.

Why Bucky Is A Congressman in the MCU

The Marvel Character Goes For A Surprising Path

Captain America: Brave New World does not explain why Bucky is running for Congress. However, there is a reason that could explain why that is happening. In The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the MCU showcased Bucky Barnes’ attempts to get his life back together and atone for his sins as the Winter Soldier. Bucky made some major moves on his path to redemption and forgiveness. After taking those necessary steps, Bucky could be looking at helping the United States in a different way, one that does not involve his fists.

As a congressman, Bucky could help change the US for the better from the inside. It also keeps the character relatively connected to Captain America’s ideals despite not being chosen by Steve Rogers as his successor for the mantle. As seen in Captain America: Brave New World, Sam Wilson is the perfect choice to carry on Steve’s legacy, and Bucky knows as much, encouraging him to stay the course even when it gets hard. Bucky’s resilience and desire to do better make him perfect for Congress, and he can help the MCU in new ways.

All Announced Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

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  May 2, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  The Fantastic Four: First Steps

  Release Date

  
  July 25, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Doomsday (2026)

  
  
  
  
  

  
  

  
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  Spider-Man Homecoming 4

  Release Date

  
  July 24, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  May 7, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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