Warning: This article contains spoilers for Captain America: Brave New World.

I’m desperate to see one MCU hero make an appearance in Thunderbolts* after Captain America: Brave New World. Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson made his theatrical debut as Captain America in Brave New World, and I was happy to see his previous experiences in the MCU and connections to other superheroes play a huge role in the Phase 5 movie’s storyline. Brave New World harked back to The Incredible Hulk, Captain America: Civil War and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, among others, in some huge ways, especially by including one surprising and welcome cameo.

Sam Wilson wasn’t the only returning MCU character in Captain America: Brave New World, as he was also joined by the likes of Joaquín Torres, the MCU’s new Falcon, Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross, Isaiah Bradley and Samuel Sterns, the Leader. I found that this provided some brilliant moments of interconnectivity between Brave New World and the MCU’s history, and an unexpected appearance from Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes made this even more prominent. I loved this moment, and am desperate to see it repeated in Marvel Studios’ upcoming Thunderbolts* movie.

I Want Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson To Cameo In Thunderbolts*

Sebastian Stan’s Cameo In Captain America: Brave New World Was Brilliant

I reckon Sam Wilson is primed to return the favor and make a cameo appearance alongside Bucky Barnes in his next MCU appearance, May 2025’s Thunderbolts*. 14 years after his debut in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes, the former Winter Soldier, is finally stepping out from Captain America’s shadow in Thunderbolts*. While I’m excited to see Bucky stand on his own and form his own team of morally-questionable antiheroes, I still want to see Captain America pop up in the Phase 5 crossover movie.

Sebastian Stan’s cameo as Bucky Barnes in Captain America: Brave New World developed his friendship with Sam Wilson perfectly, and this should still be proven to be solid in Thunderbolts*. Marvel Studios has come under fire for not featuring its current cornerstone heroes as regularly as it did during the Infinity Saga, so Anthony Mackie making an appearance in Thunderbolts* could begin to quell these criticisms. After Captain America: Brave New World teased a major upcoming storyline, too, I reckon Thunderbolts* is the perfect place for Marvel to set up Avengers: Doomsday even more.

Bucky Barnes’ Captain America: Brave New World Cameo Continued A Crucial MCU Storyline

Sam Wilson & Bucky Barnes Became Very Close In The Falcon & The Winter Soldier

Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes’ relationship was teased as having a sarcastic and banter-filled dynamic all the way back in 2016’s Captain America: Civil War. I vividly remember the iconic “can you move your seat up” moment, and I was thrilled to see more of these moments play out in 2021’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. While Sam Wilson was struggling with the idea of becoming Captain America, as Steve Rogers had wished, Bucky Barnes helped him through a tough time, and the pair became much closer, which perfectly set up Bucky’s appearance in Brave New World​​​​​​​.

Bucky Barnes’ Captain America: Brave New World cameo stands out as one of my favorite moments in the movie. It delivered moments of comedy, but also highlighted Bucky’s now-incredibly-strong friendship with Sam Wilson, to the point that Bucky even stated, “I love you, buddy,” to Sam. This was a heartfelt moment that perfectly expanded on The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’s themes, and I am desperate to see this friendship grow even stronger if Anthony Mackie makes a cameo appearance in Thunderbolts*​​​​​​​.

How Captain America’s Thunderbolts* Cameo Can Set Up Avengers: Doomsday

Sam Wilson’s Captain America Can Still Form The New Avengers

While I think it would be great to see Sam Wilson pop up in Thunderbolts* to simply reaffirm the strong bond between him and Bucky Barnes, Captain America could have another agenda in the upcoming movie. Captain America: Brave New World saw President Ross ask Sam Wilson to rebuild the Avengers, and while this didn’t come to pᴀss, it seems likely that Sam will still bring the new Avengers team together. Captain America: Brave New World’s post-credits scene made this even more likely, as the Leader teased huge danger in the MCU’s future.

Since Sam Wilson has seemingly accepted the challenge of rebuilding the Avengers, he’ll surely be on the lookout for superheroes strong enough to join the team. Joaquín Torres’ Falcon has already been offered a spot on the team, and I could easily see Sam approaching Bucky Barnes with the prospect of becoming an official Avenger. Captain America could also recruit other members of the тιтular team in Thunderbolts*, perfectly setting the stage for the new Avengers team’s official debut in Avengers: Doomsday.

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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