Sebastian Stan Addresses Bucky’s Role In Marvel’s Thunderbolts*

By Felipe Rangel

Published Sep 19, 2024

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Custom image by Simone Ashmoore.

Sebastian Stan has addressed Bucky Barnes' role in Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*'s star-studded cast.

Speaking with Variety, Sebastian Stan explained how Bucky Barnes fits as part of the Thunderbolts team. The actor compared his role in the MCU movie to the classic film One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, as Bucky Barnes will a band of "chaotic and degenerate characters" similar to Jack Nicholson's Randle McMurphy entering the psych ward ruled by Nurse Ratched. Stan describes Bucky as the one who has to unite the Thunderbolts. Check out the full quote below:

“[It] was kind of like ‘One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest’ — a guy coming into this group that was chaotic and degenerate, and somehow finding a way to unite them.”

In a video interview, Stan further talked about Bucky's evolution and how he is not that different from the rest of Thundebolts*'s characters. According to the star, the fun to be had with Bucky in Thunderbolts*'s story relates to how he evolves when pitted with a group of degenerates that might have some aspects in common with him. Check out the full quote below:

"He is always evolving. Like the rest of us, I guess. And that is kind of the fun with him now in this new film, because he is surrounded by a very degenerate crew of antagonists. They are not entirely different from him, I guess, in some ways."

What Sebastian Stan’s Comments Mean For Bucky’s Role In Thunderbolts*

The Character Should Have A Noteworthy Role

Stan notes that Bucky will not be entirely different from the other of the Thunderbolts team. However, the actor also comments on how the character will not be exactly on the same foot as the group, as he is the one coming into a team of complicated characters from different corners of the MCU. Stan's comments position Bucky to have a big role in the MCU movie, as he says that the former Winter Soldier's role includes "somehow finding a way to unite them."

That is not the first time that such a role in Thunderbolts* has been discussed for Bucky. In February 2023, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed that Bucky Barnes would be the leader of the Thunderbolts. According to Feige, the Thunderbolts "are barely heroes" and Bucky is the team's "de facto leader." Stan's comments show how Bucky will have to adapt to that new role, as the character will have to try and find a common ground with characters that are perhaps in a place in their lives that Bucky already went through and wished to leave in the past.

Our Take On Bucky Barnes’ Thunderbolts* Role

Bucky Is The Perfect Team Leader For The Thunderbolts

The Thunderbolts team in an elevator in Thunderbolts*

While Julia Louis-Dreyfus' Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine is the one putting the team together, based on Feige and Stan's comments, Bucky Barnes should be the Thunderbolts' field leader. I'm convinced that he is the perfect character for the role. As Stan mentioned, he is not all that different from the rest of the team, having experienced the same kind of trauma, violence, and anger that most of the squad are dealing with. However, Bucky is in a much better place in his life, and I'm excited to see how he can help the Thunderbolts reach that same evolution.