Sebastian Stan Speaks Out on Playing Captain America in the MCU Moving Forward

After whispers swirled around Sebastian Stan’s exclusion from Captain America: Brave New World (2025), a recent report ignited hope for Bucky Barnes fans. Could the Winter Soldier be making an unexpected appearance?

And, could he be back as a new character further in the future?

Stan’s last appearance in the live-action Marvel Cinematic Universe was in 2021’s Disney+ hit The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Created by Malcolm Spellman and directed by Kari Skogland, the six-episode series saw Stan’s complex hero-turned-villain-turned-hero Bucky Barnes team up with Anthony Mackie’s Sam Wilson/Falcon to tackle planetary turmoil.

Mackie will return as the MCU’s new Captain America in next year’s Captain America: Brave New World, the fourth entry in the Captain America franchise. Formerly titled Captain America: New World Order, the film promises to explore shifting global dynamics, as teased in its trailer.

Notably, the first trailer—revised in response to real-world political events involving President-Elect Donald Trump—features the return of characters like Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez), the latter stepping into the role of the new Falcon after Wilson embraced the stars and stripes.

Yet, despite the intrigue, one notable absence left fans curious: Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes. Mackie himself hinted at this, mentioning he wouldn’t have his “friends” on set, a nod to both Stan and Daniel Brühl’s Baron Zemo.

However, entertainment scooper My Time to Shine Hello recently claimed Stan will appear in Brave New World—albeit in a cameo, likely teasing the follow-up Thunderbolts* (2025) movie coming from Jake Schreier in May.

Given the geopolitical stakes in Brave New World, a Bucky cameo wouldn’t be out of place. Following Captain America’s February release, Stan will return in the Phase Five climax movie alongside the likes of Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova/Black Widow) and David Harbour (Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian).

This ensemble anti-hero spectacle will see Bucky Barnes take center stage alongside the MCU’s unlikely team-up of ragtag anti-heroes.

Now, Sebastian Stan’s latest comments (via Comic Book Movie) regarding his role in the MCU have raised eyebrows. “Appearing at Tokyo Comic-Con [After Christmas] this weekend, Sebastian Stan lifted Cap’s shield and, much to the delight of fans in attendance, he teased: ‘Not Captain America…yet.'”

In Marvel Comics lore, Bucky Barnes did become a version of Captain America, but the MCU went from Steve Rogers to Sam Wilson. While Stan’s comments may have been in jest, there is a chance he could appear as Cap in the upcoming Avengers movies, Avengers: Doomsday (2026) and Avengers: Secret Wars (2027) from the Russo Brothers.

It has already been confirmed that Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America) will be returning alongside Robert Downey Jr.’s Victor Von Doom; however, reports suggest that Evans won’t be stepping back into the franchise as Captain America, but as Nomad.

Stan has been a cornerstone of the MCU since 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, and he remains one of its staunchest defenders.

Addressing recent criticisms of Marvel films, Stan told Variety, “It’s become really convenient to pick on [Marvel films]. And that’s fine. Everyone’s got an opinion. But they’re a big part of what contributes to this business… This is an artery traveling through the system of this entire machinery that’s Hollywood.”

In Thunderbolts*, Stan will join an all-star cast, including Pugh, Harbour, Wyatt Russell (John Walker/U.S. Agent), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine), and Hannah John-Kamen (Ava Starr/Ghost). Meanwhile, Harrison Ford is expected to reprise his role as Thaddeus “Thunderbolt” Ross/Red Hulk following his MCU debut in Brave New World.

The movie isn’t without controversy. Casting Shira Haas as Ruth Bat-Seraph—loosely based on the Marvel Comics character Sabra—sparked heated debates due to her character’s Israeli origins and the current geopolitical climate.

Marvel has since clarified that Haas’s character will be reimagined as an Israeli former Black Widow allied with the U.S. government, softening ties to her comic book counterpart amid the very real conflict between Palestine and Israel.

Outside the MCU, Sebastian Stan has been keeping busy. He recently starred in A Different Man (2024) and as a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice (2024).

How do you feel about Bucky Barnes potentially becoming the new Captain America in the MCU? Share your thoughts in the comments below!