Bucky Barnes has been part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe for well over a decade, but his future in the franchise suddenly looks a little less certain. And no, this isn’t because Marvel has announced anything about the character. It’s actually because Sebastian Stan himself doesn’t seem to know what’s coming next.
Stan, who first appeared as Bucky in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, has revealed that Marvel Studios hasn’t contacted him about Avengers: Secret Wars yet. The film, currently scheduled to arrive in December 2027, is expected to be one of the biggest entries in the MCU’s Multiverse Saga. Stan is confirmed to appear in Avengers: Doomsday, so the lack of news about the follow-up is a little surprising, especially after Bucky’s recent move into a more prominent position among Marvel’s heroes.
Speaking to IndieWire, Stan admitted that he was still waiting to hear what Marvel had planned. “I know there’s another movie supposed to shoot next year, but I haven’t heard anything about it. There are a lot of people waiting to find out when it’s happening. I don’t even know if it’s on the schedule yet,” he said. In other words, even someone who’s been around the MCU for this long isn’t necessarily in the loop about what comes next.
Stan also offered a rather modest description of his place in the franchise. Instead of seeing himself as one of the main players in Marvel’s starting lineup, he compared his role to that of a dependable bench player who gets called in when needed. It’s a fairly down-to-earth way of looking at a career that’s included some major MCU moments, and it also helps explain how he’s managed to keep working on very different projects outside Marvel.
Is Bucky Barnes’ MCU Story Nearing Its End?
Stan’s comments don’t necessarily mean Bucky won’t appear in Secret Wars. Marvel could still contact him later, or his involvement could be something the studio is keeping quiet for now. Still, the uncertainty is enough to get fans wondering where the character fits into the franchise’s endgame.
Bucky has come a long way since his introduction as Steve Rogers’ best friend. He was turned into the Winter Soldier, a HYDRA-controlled assassin responsible for some terrible acts, before eventually fighting to regain control of his life and make amends. His story has never been a simple case of a former villain becoming a hero overnight. There’s been plenty of guilt, baggage, and unfinished business along the way.
The Falcon and the Winter Soldier gave him room to work through some of that past, while Thunderbolts put him in a much more prominent position within the MCU. After all those years of supporting other characters, it finally seemed as though Bucky was getting a bigger place in the story. That’s why the lack of confirmation about Secret Wars feels a little odd. With Doomsday and Secret Wars expected to bring together a huge number of heroes, though, Marvel may have to make some difficult choices about who gets meaningful screen time and who ends up with a smaller role.
Sebastian Stan Is Also Heading to Gotham City
Marvel isn’t the only major superhero franchise keeping Stan busy. The actor is also joining Matt Reeves’ The Batman – Part II, taking him into DC’s version of Gotham City. Details about his character are still being kept secret, although Stan has teased that the film unfolds during a particularly brutal winter in the city. That’s about all we know for now, but it certainly fits the bleak atmosphere Reeves established in the first movie.
Working across both Marvel and DC is an interesting position for Stan, especially given how closely he’s associated with Bucky Barnes after so many years. At the same time, his career has never been limited to superhero films, and taking on another major franchise gives him room to do something different while Marvel figures out its next move.
For now, Bucky’s long-term future remains a mystery. His confirmed appearance in Avengers: Doomsday means fans will get to see him again, but whether he makes it through that film and returns for Secret Wars is another question entirely. Marvel could still have a major role planned for him, or his story might take an unexpected turn before the Multiverse Saga reaches its conclusion.
Avengers: Doomsday is scheduled to hit theaters on December 18, 2026, with Avengers: Secret Wars set to follow on December 17, 2027.