MCU Star Sebastian Stan Weighs in on Stepping Out of Marvel Franchise
A longtime favorite of the Marvel Cinematic Universe may be nearing his final chapter.
Sebastian Stan’s James “Bucky” Barnes has been a cornerstone of Marvel storytelling since Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). Introduced as Steve Rogers’ (Chris Evans) steadfast best friend, Bucky’s transformation from loyal soldier to feared assassin remains one of the franchise’s most emotional arcs. His fateful fall from a Hydra train forever changed his destiny, setting him on a path from hero to brainwashed killer.
Resurrected and reprogrammed by HYDRA, Bucky reemerges as the Winter Soldier—a silent, deadly operative stripped of his past and humanity. His eventual reunion with Steve in Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014) ignited one of the MCU’s most complex friendships. The redemption that followed through Captain America: Civil War (2016) and beyond made him a symbol of resilience and recovery.
After breaking free from his HYDRA conditioning—thanks to Wakandan intervention—Bucky began carving out a new identity. Dubbed the “White Wolf,” he found purpose again fighting alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019). From manipulated weapon to redemptive warrior, Bucky’s evolution remains one of the MCU’s richest narratives.
That journey deepened further in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, where Bucky faced his trauma and embraced accountability. As he supported Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) transformation into the new Captain America, audiences saw him finally inch toward peace. His story continued in 2025’s Thunderbolts*, with many fans eager to see what came next for the “White Wolf.”
Sebastian Stan Addresses MCU Role
“I have to try to offer something different than before,” Stan said on the Stronger Podcast, via Variety. “And I’ve never favored one role over another.”
The actor reflected on his time with Marvel, emphasizing how it was just the beginning for him as an artist. Following his time as Bucky Barnes, Stan has taken bold turns in films like The Apprentice (2024), in which he portrays a young Donald Trump, and A Different Man (2024), where he plays Edward.
“The Marvel stuff, I’ll always, till the end of time, [feel it] really helped me grow as a person and helped me grow as an actor, and it taught me relationships and [I worked with] Robert Downey [Jr.] and Scarlett [Johansson] and all these people I looked up to. It was a business,” Stan continued. “It was a family, and it gave me a sense of belonging, and it’s always there for that, but it was only the first step for me.”
While Stan continues to diversify his career, rumors surrounding Avengers: Doomsday (2026) suggest that Bucky’s story could conclude there. With speculation swirling about which heroes may fall in the epic crossover, the film could deliver an emotional farewell for one of the MCU’s most beloved survivors.
Avengers: Doomsday is shaping up to be one of Marvel’s boldest projects yet. Directed once again by Anthony and Joe Russo, the film marks their grand return after helming Infinity War and Endgame.
But Doomsday isn’t merely a continuation—it’s a reinvention. The story pivots away from the Multiverse’s Kang saga to focus instead on Doctor Doom’s rise. The twist? Robert Downey Jr. will return to the MCU not as Iron Man, but as Doom himself—a move that has stunned fans and raised the stakes for Marvel’s next phase.
Could this be Bucky Barnes’ final stand? Fans will find out when Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters in 2026.
