Sebastian Stan’s recent comments shed more light on whether Bucky Barnes is in Captain America: Brave New World. Stan had a busy 2024 with two award-worthy performances in The Apprentice and A Different Man. While the actor continues to branch outside the MCU, he is set to return as Bucky Barnes in 2025’s Thunderbolts*. The film is his seventh MCU project, not including post-credit scenes, since his debut in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier marked the first time he and Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson shared the screen. Their relationship was initially hostile, but it evolved over the years, and the two became friends in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Sam is getting his first leading role in Captain America: Brave New World, but it doesn’t look like Bucky will be joining him. In an interview with Variety, Stan addressed his absence from Captain America 4, saying it was a “quieter year” without Mackie.

[Filming] ‘Thunderbolts*’, let me tell you, it was a much quieter year for me because I didn’t see Anthony Mackie. So, I’ll say that. Although I miss Anthony Mackie like daily, and it’s something I don’t like to admit.

What Sebastian Stan’s Comments Mean For Captain America: Brave New World

While Captain America: Brave New World is the fourth film in this franchise, it first features Sam Wilson in the тιтular role for the first time. He has plenty to prove to America and the world that he can represent the shield admirably. He also will have his hands full dealing with The Leader, Sidewinder, and President Thunderbolt Ross, who finally turns into the MCU villain Red Hulk. Bucky Barnes’ ᴀssistance would be helpful, but this is a time for Sam to prove himself, so Marvel should allow him to work independently of other Avengers.

Sam will also have ᴀssistance from Joaquin Torres, the new Falcon, who joins the Captain America: Brave New World cast. If Marvel is trying to set up a new dynamic duo with Sam and Joaquin, bringing in Bucky would take attention away from their partnership. Sam and Bucky have already built their relationship in previous projects. Marvel is doing the right thing by having Sam move forward as Captain America and having Bucky go in a different direction.

Our Take On Sebastian Stan’s Captain America: Brave New World Comments

The first thing to remember is that Sebastian Stan could be lying. Marvel actors undergo extensive media training to ensure they never spoil crucial details. Andrew Garfield lied for months that he was not in Spider-Man: No Way Home and audiences now know that wasn’t true. However, Stan is likely telling the truth since he has another Marvel movie debuting a few months after Captain America: Brave New World releases in February.

Bucky is already involved in Thunderbolts*, trying to lead a team made of Marvel’s best anti-heroes. Giving Bucky a role in Captain America: Brave New World would put too much on his plate, and it would likely have to be addressed in Thunderbolts*. Stan will have his moment to shine in Thunderbolts* and it’s a good thing that Mackie gets a sH๏τ at leading a project without Stan’s ᴀssistance.

Upcoming MCU Movies

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  Captain America: Brave New World

  Release Date

  
  February 14, 2025
  

  
  
  
  

  
  

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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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