I love that Marvel Studios is finally giving Bucky the attention he deserves after seeing the latest Thunderbolts* poster. Despite being a mainstay of the MCU since Captain America: The First Avenger was released in 2011, Bucky Barnes’ MCU appearances have somehow made him feel like a side character. Even the two acclaimed MCU productions in which Bucky most prominently appeared, Captain America: The Winter Soldier and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, weren’t sufficient in fully exploring Bucky’s story – at least, not to the same extent as the Avengers he joined up with.
In both his starring roles, Bucky was technically playing second fiddle to his co-stars, both Captains America, first as an antagonist, and then as a supporter of Sam Wilson’s journey. 2025 will now play host to Sam Wilson’s first solo movie, while Bucky will star in Thunderbolts* alongside a who’s-who of downtrodden and sidelined antiheroes and reformed villains. While I realize that this means Bucky will once again be sharing the limelight, a tongue-in-cheek poster released for Thunderbolts* makes me confident that he’ll now get the full attention he deserves.
The New Thunderbolts* Movie Poster Promises More Bucky
The Poster Emulates The Style Of A Box Of Cereal
This year’s Super Bowl hosted a new, more action-packed trailer for Thunderbolts*. Alongside the video, which featured the first look at what appears to be The Void, came a new poster. In the trailer, Red Guardian envisages the newly formed team on a box of Wheaties Cereal, a brand known for featuring renowned athletes on its distinctive orange box. To tie into this, Marvel Studios released the poster posted to X below which evokes Red Guardian’s dream, stylizing the Thunderbolts as if featured on a box of Wheaties.
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The scene in which Red Guardian fantasizes about being on a cereal box seems to precede the moment in which Bucky attacks their vehicle.
The poster lists the “ingredients” as the Thunderbolts members (including Bob), and features the May 2 release date at the bottom. What strikes me, however, is the announcement to the bottom right that reads “Now with more Bucky!“, evoking a commonly used trope on cereal boxes to announce (typically healthy) additions to the original recipe. Based on this, it looks like Marvel Studios is promising more of Bucky than ever before, which not only aligns with his central role in the trailer but finally makes me think that Marvel Studios has recognized Bucky’s true worth.
I’m Convinced Marvel Has Finally Figured Out How Great Bucky Is
Bucky Barnes Has Been Sidelined For Too Long
Bucky Barnes debuted in Captain America: The First Avenger as the тιтular hero’s most stalwart supporter. Since then, he’s undergone one of the most tragic arcs in the MCU, plagued by even more drama than most of the MCU’s foremost heroes. Despite this, Bucky’s struggle and development have been treated as more of a sideline to bigger MCU stories, like the rift in Captain America: Civil War and Sam Wilson’s acceptance of the Captain America mantle in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, despite Bucky’s road to redemption being partially covered in both.
Now, as the leader of a band of misfits, it seems the MCU will finally give Bucky his due. Given that multiple stars from the movie have spoken about how Thunderbolts* will not shy away from dealing with themes of mental health, I think the time is right to delve into Bucky’s psyche and place him front and center as a true superhero. Judging by trailer footage, Bucky may even find the redemption he has desperately sought for so long. I also fear this may bring him closer to the chopping block, which would be a big loss for Marvel.
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* Movie Should Have More Bucky
Sebastian Stan Is Now One Of The Cast’s Most Decorated Actors
In addition to Bucky Barnes deserving more screen time for his compelling arc, it now behooves Marvel more than ever to spotlight Sebastian Stan in particular. The prolific actor recently bagged a Golden Globes win for his role as Edward in A Different Man, only to bolster this accolade with an Academy Awards nomination for his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice. This now makes Stan one of the most prestigious actors in the MCU’s lineup of regulars and warrants plenty of space for Stan to flaunt his ability on-screen.
Whether any of the team survives the ordeal remains to be seen, and I can’t help but feel like Thunderbolts* would be the perfect place for Bucky to make the ultimate sacrifice.
Thankfully, Thunderbolts* is the perfect stage. The “Big Game” trailer shows that the тιтular team will be in a desperate situation, banding together against an insurmountable threat in the form of the godlike Void. Whether any of the team survives the ordeal remains to be seen, and I can’t help but feel like Thunderbolts* would be the perfect place for Bucky to make the ultimate sacrifice. Should this be the case, it would be a huge loss for Marvel Studios (and the audience), but I’m willing to accept it if Thunderbolts* gives Bucky the sendoff he deserves.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
- Release Date
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
- Release Date
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
- Release Date
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
- Release Date
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May 7, 2027
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Source: Marvel Studios/X
