Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
When the 2022 D23 Expo came around, it was (finally) Sebastian Stan’s time to shine on his own in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After having spent 11 years at the studio and a century in the universe, Sebastian Stan aka the Winter Soldier is now a part of a new allegiance, known as the Thunderbolts. The 2024 movie will mark the actor’s 8th appearance in an MCU project since his debut as Bucky Barnes in 2011.
Also read:“They look like a troubled bunch”: Sebastian Stan Hopeful Bucky’s NewThunderboltsTeam Could Make Up For Him Never Getting to Officially Join Avengers
Sebastian Stan Steps Out of the Shadows inThunderbolts
The Winter Soldier has always been the morally grey character who represented the darker remnants of Hydra and as such, needed constant conditioning. The character’s comic arc delved into his role as the Cap’s sidekick who was tasked with doing the dirty work that was out of legal bounds for the Captain. In the cinematic world, his definitive journey as“one of the good guys”was explored only a fraction in the Infinity Saga andTheFalcon and the Winter Soldier.
Also read:5 Reasons Why The Winter Soldier Should Get His Own Movie (& 5 Why A Solo Series Makes Sense)
However,Thunderboltswill finally witness the character traversing the in-universe terrain as an anti-hero in a wonky team made up of the likes of Yelena Belova, John Walker/US Agent, Taskmaster, Red Guardian, and Ghost. The team comprised of reformed supervillains will most likely be spearheaded by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (considering that the script is moving away from the comic origin that puts Baron Zemo at the helm) and will witness a richly built world with an intertwined narrative that constantly puts the morally grey characters and their actions to question.
The film marksSebastian Stan‘s appearance as the Winter Soldier in his own capacity, i.e. without the accompanying and looming protective shadow of the Captain’s shield or the Falcon’s wings. In response to a question posed at the D23 Expo that asked him about how he feels to finally be out of their shadow, the Romanian-born actor jokingly replied,
“All I can say, freedom tastes bright. Finally, I am free. No, I love him… It is weird, of course. It’s a little bit like… what’s that, Stockholm Syndrome or something? When you’re like, ‘I might not… you know…’ But anyway, it’s nice to at least always be close to each other.”
Also read:“MCU’s next big power couple – Yelena and Bucky”: Fans ConvincedThunderboltsWill See Sebastian Stan’s Winter Soldier, Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova Become Next Tony-Pepper of MCU
The Evolution of Bucky Barnes in MCU: 2011-2022
In the chaos wrought on by the catastrophic events of World War II, a superhero was born and the world gained its First Avenger. But Captain America was not spurned into action until it was his best friend, Sgt. James Buchanan Barnes, whose life was in peril. The Cap’s heroic arc began with the rescue mission of the 107th Infantry Regiment where Bucky was an officer, and the finality of Bucky’s (supposed) death catalyzed him to end the regime of the Nazi and the Hydra overlord, Red Skull.
Also read:Reasons TheWinter SoldierIs Still The Best MCU Film
Since his entry as the reformed antagonist, Sebastian Stan had spent most of his stay at Marvel in the shadow of either Captain America or the Falcon. Although the trio make a good team on-screen and are even better friends off the camera, the tragic and antagonistic character was either used and controlled by Hydra or always needed to be on the run. As such, one of the most well-evolved in MCU never got his redemption arc where he could finally shine as an individual, until now.
Thunderboltspremieres on July 03, 2025.
Source:The Hollywood Reporter
Diya Majumdar
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2410
Diya Majumdar is a Senior Content Writer at FandomWire with over 2000 published articles on the website. Since 2022, she has been working as an entertainment journalist with a special focus on films and pop culture.Among the countless genres and themes of Hollywood, the ones that particularly favor Diya’s tastes include Game of Thrones, DC, and well-aged thrillers and classics.
More from Diya Majumdar
17 Years Later, This Iron Man Scene Was the Darkest MCU Moment No One Realized
The Darkest Star Wars Movie Is Proof Robert Pattinson’s Batman Can Work in James Gunn’s DCU
Kevin Hart Is Trading Dwayne Johnson for Another WWE Star in New Netflix Film
Recommended
Top 5 Fan-Favorite Batman Movie References In LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Darkness Trailer
Black Myth Zhong Kui, Explained: Who He Is in Chinese Mythology?
NYT Mini Crossword Solution For Today (June 23, 2025)
Ghost of Yotei Legends: What Can You Expect From The Free DLC?
Top 10 Video Games Showcased At Gamescom 2025 That Fans Can’t Stop Talking About
Alien: Earth — “Metamorphosis” — Episode 3 Spoiler Recap and Review
Anthony MackieChris EansFalcon And The Winter SoldierSebastian StanThunderbolts
