Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes Has Been A Standout Of The MCU For 13 Years Without A Lead Role

Providing Some Stellar Performances as The Winter Soldier

A member of the originalCaptain America ’s Howling Commandos , Bucky and his evolution from WWII wedge and one of Rogers ' closest friends into a sorry brainwash assassin is ripped direct from the comics , and Sebastian Stan ’s portrayal over the years has often been summon as one of the MCU ’s very best character . As such , Stan has provided some brilliant dynamics and property to the character over the age . This is specially true once Bucky ’s brainwashing and Hydra ’s mental gun trigger are break , returning to Barnes the liberal will he ’d been without for decade .

alike , Bucky ’s endeavor to redeem himself while grappling with the Sin he had no control over ( yet still feel creditworthy for ) are captivating to watch , particularly in 2021’sCaptain America & The Winter Soldier . That tell , Bucky ’s journey has never really lease precession , with Sebastian Stan never having a true lead role in the MCU . Even inCaptain America & The Winter Soldierwhere Bucky ’s arc was present , Sam Wilson ’s Falcon had a much large limelight as he grappled with inheriting Steve Rogers ' shell and Mickey Mantle and what that would mean going forward .

Sebastian Stan’s Golden Globes Win Proves He’s A Talented Actor

2 Nominations & 1 Win

To that end , Sebastian Stan winning a Golden Globe further reassert just how salutary of an actor he is . At the 2025 Golden Globes , Stan won the award for Best Performance by a Male Actor – Musical or Comedy for his role in 2024’sA Different Man . In the dark comedy thriller , Stan play Edward Lemuel / Guy Moratz , a struggling player with von Recklinghausen’s disease who gets an observational treatment that cures his condition . Despite taking on a new name and identity , Stan ’s character still struggles in his life and career despite his status having been cured .

It ’s also worth noting thatSebastian Stan also received a second nomination at the 2025 Golden Globesfor his role as Donald Trump in 2024’sThe Apprentice . This was in a separate category : Best Performance by a Male Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama . Despite not winning a second Golden Globe , the bare fact that Stan received two nominating address and one win in the same year is quite telling , proving his acting power and full ambit with these two objectively complex roles . As such , they further support my belief that Marvel should be taking advantage of Stan ’s natural endowment far more .

I’m Convinced Marvel Needs To Utilize Sebastian Stan’s Acting Talent More With Bucky Barnes

Thunderbolts* Is A Good First Step

presently , Sebastian Stan is adjust to return as Bucky in 2025’sThunderbolts * , an ensemble film starring some of the MCU ’s darker and more morally equivocal player who will be assembled by Julia Louis Dreyfus ' CIA Director Valentina de Fontaine . WhileThunderbolts*is far from being a solo Winter Soldier movie , I do expect that both Sebastian Stan and Florence Pugh ’s Yelena Belova will have bigger leading roles in compare to their fellow mate . As such , it ’s a in effect first stone’s throw for Bucky to get the prima role he deserves .

The Marvel motion-picture show releasing in 2025 offer a mixed bag of storylines and superheroes , with many hit theater after previously announce wait .

That being said , there are rumour and fears from MCU fans thatThunderbolts*may stop with Bucky ’s demise . This would be a major error on Marvel Studios ' part , especially considering how much investment has been put into Bucky ’s overall arc and journey . If the former Winter Soldier ’s story has to end at some point in the MCU , it need to be after Bucky gets his own task with Sebastian Stan in a unfeigned take role .

Bucky, Gamora, and Iron Man MCU Group Custom Image

Custom Image by Kevin Erdmann

I’ve Worked Out How Sebastian Stan Could Have A Larger Role In The MCU

A Solo MCU Movie Or Series Feels Necessary

culminate Bucky Barnes ' story with a solo feature feels necessary deliberate all the character has been through , not to note all the work Sebastian Stan has put into making The Winter Soldier one of the MCU ’s most grounded and dimensional characters . Regardless of whether it ’s a full - flight movie or show , I ’m not particularly choosy . The main point is that Bucky Barnes merit to have a fully satisfying conclusion , one that sees him having fully reconciled with his past as the Winter Soldier .

" I ’m mad to see Bucky ’s report remain inThunderbolts * , though I ’m not getting the impression that joining Val ’s team will be the good way to cease his story in the MCU … "

I ’m emotional to see Bucky ’s story continue inThunderbolts * , though I ’m not grow the imprint that join Val ’s team will be the better way to end his story in the MCU .

Custom image of Mister Fantastic looking serious with the invisible woman using her powers in The Fantastic Four: First Steps

alternatively , I would love to see aBlack Widow - type MCU feature for Bucky , one that would finally give Sebastian Stan the preeminent use he ’s always deserved(which Stan himself seems interested in doing as well ) . Even if Bucky does meet his last in some sort of ensemble project , whether it’sThunderbolts*or a futureAvengersmovie , I really just need Bucky to have his own undertaking beforehand , either define in the present - solar day MCU , or even at some point in his yesteryear .

Thunderbolts*is set to release on May 2nd , 2025 from Marvel Studios .

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Cast

Bucky raising his gun in Wakanda and preparing to fight

Thunderbolts (2025) Official Poster

Headshot Of Florence Pugh In The Premiere Of Dune:Part 2

Headshot Of Sebastian Stan In The A Different Man at the 74th Berlin Film Festival.

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Sebastian Stan