Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson, who finally took on the mantle of Captain America in The Falcon & The Winter Soldier, is slated to lead Captain America: Brave New World. But this time around, a familiar face whose story and association were intricately tied to the Star-Spangled Man in the superhero film franchise will not be present.
And that someone is none other than Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes.
The last we saw of Bucky was in the Disney+ miniseries alongside Mackie, and although he is expected to return in Thunderbolts (2025), the news ought to dishearten some fans. In an interview, Anthony Mackie divulged his disappointment and illustrated not only Stan’s absence but also Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo.
Anthony Mackie Reveals Captain America 4 Won’t Include Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes
In an interview with RadioTimes.com, Anthony Mackie discussed his MCU stint, explaining how he had been excited for a second season of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, the Disney+ miniseries where he shared the on-screen space with Sebastian Stan. Instead, Mackie’s Sam Wilson will now be seen headlining Captain America: Brave New World, but this time around, his co-star(s) from the show won’t be tagging along.
He stated:
“The Falcon and [the] Winter Soldier, I really enjoyed doing that show. I was actually excited to do a second season, just so me and Sebastian [Stan] can get paid to hang out. Because it’s like me, him and Daniel Brühl—It’s … like the perfect storm of happiness.”
Bemoaning co-stars Sebastian Stan and Daniel Brühl’s non-inclusion in the fourth Captain America film, Mackie affirmed:
“When they decided to go back to the movies, it is what it is, but I don’t have my friends anymore, so it kind of dampens it a little bit … Anything I can do to hang out with Daniel, a dancing Daniel Brühl, makes me very happy.”
The actor’s statement confirms that Bucky Barnes and Baron Zemo will not be featured in the upcoming Anthony Mackie starrer. After receiving poor test scores (via X), the project was marred by delays and reshoots, which made fans feel a little discouraged, but they eventually made peace with these developments.
Some of them are absolutely heartbroken now to learn of Bucky’s absence.
Fans React To Bucky Barnes’ Absence In Captain America: Brave New World
While a section of netizens isn’t too happy with the development, leading them to question Marvel Studios’ decision, some other users on X deduced that Sebastian Stan’s absence in Captain America 4 may have something to do with letting Mackie’s Sam Wilson shine and his character develop beyond his and Bucky’s partnership. Whether or not that is the case cannot be discerned, but it could be a possible explanation.
Nevertheless, most fans have expressed their disappointment and reiterated that a Captain America film without Bucky feels awry. Take a look at what some of them had to say:
That's a shame I would have figured I guess they don't want him to overshadow sam
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) March 22, 2024
I like Bucky a lot more than Sam but this might be a good decision in the long run. You don’t want to overshadow your new Captain America with another established character.
— Lo’ai ☆ 🇨🇦🍉 (@CrossoverNexus) March 22, 2024
No Bucky is incredibly disappointing and lame.
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) March 22, 2024
The falloff Marvel movies had after Endgame needs to be studied….
So many odd decisions that make you question what they are thinking
— Josh Sweat Truther (@EaglesBurna) March 22, 2024
I watched a whole Disney plus show about these two becoming friends and learning to trust each other just for Bucky to not be in the next movie? https://t.co/YBs68IGXAj pic.twitter.com/AX0s134xUH
— depressed sinn stan (@sameolegal) March 22, 2024
i dont even care about the mcu anymore but a captain america movie without bucky barnes is like an angel without wings https://t.co/rAX0URjdii
— fart with reverb (@HORRORGENRES) March 22, 2024
For fans anticipating Bucky’s return to the screen, Thunderbolts is still something to look forward to. The Jake Schreier-helmed film will feature an ensemble of ragtag anti-heroes/villains, including Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell’s U.S. Agent, Olga Kurylenko’s Taskmaster, etc. The Phase Five endeavor is slated for release on May 2, 2025.
As for Captain America: Brave New World, Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson will be joined by Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, the MCU’s new ‘Falcon,’ Carl Lumbly’s Isaiah Bradley, Harrison Ford’s Thaddeus Ross, etc. While plot details remain shrouded under secrecy, director Julius Onah once described the premise as a “paranoid thriller” (via ComicBook.com).
It will be released theatrically on February 14, 2025.
For a recap on Bucky and Sam’s shenanigans, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is available for streaming on Disney+.
