Not only has Bucky Barnes become one of the longest-standing MCU characters, but he also has the wildest character arc out of anyone. Sebastian Stan originally made his debut as the character in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger. He was Steve Rogers’ best friend who fought alongside him during World War II. Bucky meets a tragic fate in that film as he falls off of a train to his apparent death, and at the time, it seemed like the end of his time in the MCU.

Bucky’s supposed death takes a huge toll on Steve and drives a lot of his decisions as Captain America. It’s not until 2014’s Captain America: The Winter Soldier that fans found out in real-time alongside Steve that Bucky has been alive this whole time. Now he’s known as the Winter Soldier, but the moniker hasn’t come without its suffering. He has had some absolutely baffling storylines in the best way possible, giving Bucky one of the wildest character histories that the MCU has ever seen.

Bucky Barnes’ Character Arc In The MCU Is Wild

It seemed like Bucky was going to be quite the grounded character upon his debut. He was a normal man who was part of Steve’s inspiration for joining the military. However, getting captured by HYDRA and being experimented on with the Super Soldier Serum should’ve been a hint that Bucky has always been destined for bigger things. Bucky went from going missing during the war to becoming a brainwashed Soviet ᴀssᴀssin called the Winter Soldier in the decades between World War II and the events of Captain America 2, yet somehow, those would be far from his most out-there storylines.

Just as Bucky starts to remember his true idenтιтy, he is framed for the bombing in Vienna in Civil War. He is branded a fugitive being shielded by Captain America, becoming just one of the heroes falling victim to Baron Zemo’s plan. Since Black Panther witnessed the ordeal, T’Challa agreed to take Bucky in as a Wakandan refugee to try and help erase his HYDRA programming. Now reformed and refusing to cause more undeserved bloodshed, Bucky was one of those called up to aid the Avengers during the Battle of Earth.

Bucky Barnes Becoming A Congressman In The MCU Is The Wildest Turn Yet

Bucky goes from being a cold-blooded ᴀssᴀssin to becoming a part of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, which is definitely one of the most drastic story arcs for any MCU character. The studio’s latest release has only added to his wild journey, with Captain America: Brave New World revealing that Bucky is now a congressman. This likely wouldn’t have been possible without Bucky being pardoned during The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, but even with the government clearance, it is an absolutely wild turn for his story to take.

He is a fan-favorite character who has done plenty of reflection and atonement, but Bucky has committed crimes that make him a war criminal. During his time as the Winter Soldier under HYDRA, he quite literally ᴀssᴀssinated President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. The fact that he’s been allowed into an official government position now is almost confusing, but it’s also undoubtedly an incredibly exciting turn for his character to take. Considering that Bucky’s next MCU appearance is slated to be in Thunderbolts*, it’ll be interesting to see how he gets himself into that situation in the first place.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Thunderbolts*

  Release Date

  
  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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