Fans have been eagerly anticipating the reunion between best friends Sam Wilson and Bucky Barnes in Avengers: Doomsday, but the duo’s MCU reunion isn’t going to play out as expected thanks to the events of Thunderbolts*. Though the two characters first met through their mutual friend Steve Rogers, they’ve managed to stay connected even in his absence. They’ve worked together a number of times, even getting their own series where their dynamic was one of the main focuses.

Though there have been some rocky moments between the two, they went into Thunderbolts* with their bond stronger than ever. The pair’s friendship has quickly become a fan favorite because of their banter and their emotional bonding moments. Their on-screen dynamic is also enhanced by actors Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan’s real-life friendship and chemistry, which is why their confirmed Doomsday reunion was cause for celebration. However, we now know that Sam and Bucky’s reunion is going to have a very different tone to it.

Avengers: Doomsday’s Cast Announcements Revealed Bucky Barnes & Captain America Would Be In The MCU Movie Before Thunderbolts*

Anthony Mackie And Sebastian Stan Are Both MCU Veterans

Marvel released their first big Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement in March 2025, which was just after the release of Captain America: Brave New World and a few months before the premiere of Thunderbolts*. The studio took an interesting approach with a five-hour-long chair live stream, and it confirmed that Mackie would be reprising his role as Captain America as expected. Stan was also confirmed during that live stream, meaning that he would return alongside the other Thunderbolts.

Besides the fact that Mackie and Stan were some of the few veterans on the cast list, fans were excited that the duo would seemingly get to work together again for the first time since Falcon & The Winter Soldier. Stan actually made a cameo in Captain America: Brave New World just a month prior, reminding fans once again why they loved Sam and Bucky’s friendship in the first place. Excitement for their reunion was at an all-time high, and it seemed like Thunderbolts* was going to set up a way for them to meet again.

Prior To Thunderbolts*, Avengers: Doomsday Sounded Like A Perfect Hero Reunion That Could Bring Bucky Into Sam’s Avengers

The Thunderbolts Are Seemingly Getting Recruited For The Fight Versus Doom

In Stan’s Brave New World cameo, it’s revealed that Bucky became a congressman after the events of Falcon & The Winter Soldier. He was leaving his short time as an Avenger in the past despite how questionable his new role as a political figure was. Even before Thunderbolts* premiered, fans already knew that something was going to happen to make Bucky abandon his government job and eventually join a fight alongside the Thunderbolts because Stan’s involvement in the film wouldn’t be wasted with him behind a desk.

The main theorized conclusion that most fans drew was that the members of the Thunderbolts would come together reluctantly, and then form their own team by the end of the movie. Under the name Thunderbolts, they would fight their own battles before being recruited for the events of Avengers: Doomsday. Considering how Sam started rebuilding the core Avengers team at the end of Brave New World, it seemed likely that his Avengers and the Thunderbolts were going to fight together, with Bucky then joining his trusted ally and friend once again.

After Thunderbolts*, A Very Different Avengers: Doomsday Storyline Seems Far More Possible

Sam And Bucky’s Relationship Has Taken A Sudden Nosedive

After the release of Thunderbolts*, Sam and Bucky’s long-awaited Doomsday reunion is seemingly going to be much more hostile than expected. The Thunderbolts did end the film with their own team, but the plot twist was that they would be called the New Avengers instead. Valentina wanted to take credit for their formation while also being able to claim that she was the one who ᴀssembled a worthy Avengers replacement, hence the name. In the post-credits scene, Bucky hints at the fact that Sam is not happy with their name and newfound rivalry.

Doomsday will likely see the two teams confront each other for the first time, which is sure to bring out plenty of negative emotions. Sam probably feels betrayed that his best friend would not only join another team that isn’t his, but also try to steal his name. On the other hand, Bucky never intended to join a group known as the New Avengers and probably feels conflicted at having to screw over his friend. While the duo are still set to reunite in Avengers: Doomsday, it’s going to be under very different circumstances than we could’ve ever imagined.

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

  Release Date

  
  December 18, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Spider-Man: Brand New Day

  Release Date

  
  July 31, 2026
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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  Avengers: Secret Wars

  Release Date

  
  December 17, 2027
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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