I’ve noticed that Bucky Barnes is the onlyMCUcharacter inThunderbolts*who doesn’t wear a superhero suit, and I thinkCaptain America: Brave New Worldholds the answers. Bucky Barnes is known to have sported one of themost iconic and recognizable MCU costumesduring his stint as the Winter Soldier inCaptain America: The Winter Soldier, but he has since relinquished the mask after being steadily brought back to his senses. He is also seen sporting a unique ensemble in later movies likeAvengers: Infinity Warwhen he was ostensibly operating under theWhite Wolf pseudonym in Wakanda.
Bucky is nextdue to appear inThunderbolts*on May 2. By the looks of the trailer footage (and via behind-the-scenes knowledge), it appears Bucky will play a central role as the leader of the titular team. Said team comprises a who’s-who of down-and-out reformed villains and antiheroes, including Yelena Belova, Red Guardian, U.S. Agent, and Ghost - with Taskmaster looking like she’ll bite the bullet early on. Yet, while each of his fellow team members is suited up in their respective super-suits, Bucky looks conspicuously bereft.
Bucky Barnes Is The Only Superhero Without A Suit In Thunderbolts*
Everyone Else Wears Their Usual Super-Suit
Severaltrailers forThunderbolts*have now been released as Marvel Studios ramps up marketing for the movie’s release in May. Bucky Barnes can be seen sporting several outfits, from a nondescript t-shirt and jeans, a vest top, a leather jacket, and, of course, a full suit. Despite his teammates - in particular, Red Guardian - sporting the gaudy costumes representative of their superhero monikers,Bucky is never seen wearing one of his own. This is especially confusing as Bucky is presumably still on good terms with Wakanda, a country responsible for a litany of nifty super-suits like Captain America’s.
Bucky’s vibranium arm was last seen being gifted to Rocket Raccoon by Nebula inThe Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, leading many to theorize that Bucky had another one made by the Wakandans.
Super-suits are somewhat sacrosanct in the MCU, helping to make its charismatic cast of characters stand out and be instantly recognizable in a fray. It is even a trope for these super-suits to be cycled through at a rate of at least one per movie. While Bucky has been seen sporting some instantly recognizable get-ups of his own,it’s pretty confusing to see that he’s relinquished visual ties to his super soldier superpowers, despite obviously engaging in heroics throughout theThunderbolts*trailer. Nevertheless,Captain America: Brave New Worldoffers a decent reason for his decision.
Captain America: Brave New World Confirmed Bucky’s Running For Congress
Bucky Leaves Sam To Attend A Campaign Event
Bucky Barnes makes a brief yet heartwarmingcameo inCaptain America: Brave New Worldas the new Cap, Sam Wilson, is experiencing another crisis of confidence following a near-miss with his companion/sidekick, Joaquin Torres' Falcon. He comforts Sam in his time of need, reminding him that Steve Rogers bequeathed Wilson the shield and mantle because of who he is as a person. Bucky concludes his heart-to-heart with the line “You do your best. Steve gave them something to believe in. You give them something to aspire to,” to which Sam responds, “Did your speechwriters help you with that?”
Why Bucky Barnes Is A Congressman In The MCU Now
Bucky Barnes is a key figure in the modern MCU and is soon to be an important political figure in-universe as a newly elected congressman.
Bucky then reveals he has a campaign event to attend, confirming that he is running for political office. We can also expect he will be successful in his attempt, asBucky can be seen attending a political hearing in theThunderbolts*trailer, which is mostly where he wears a standard suit. Evidently, carrying out duties as an elected representative is a marked departure from being a superhero, which is precisely why I think Bucky has relinquished his erstwhile role.
I’m Convinced Bucky Barnes Is A Retired Superhero At The Start Of Thunderbolts*
Bucky Won’t Have A Super-Suit Ready When Returning To His Heroics
It’s hard to imagineBucky Barnes carrying out superhero dutieswhile being a congressman. I even find it hard to believe that he was elected at all, given his decidedly spotty history as the Winter Soldier and the destructive role he played inCaptain America: Civil War. Still, it seems to be that Bucky has successfully convinced the public to overlook his past transgressions, meaning he won’t want to rock that particular boat by continuing his super-heroics after gaining office. Nevertheless,Thunderbolts*shows him doing exactly that,suggesting he has come out of retirement to once again defend the world.
Should this be an unwitting return to form, I find it easier to believe why Bucky does not have a super-suit prepared.
Should this be an unwitting return to form,I find it easier to believe why Bucky does not have a super-suit prepared. The reason for Bucky coming out of retirement remains unconfirmed, though trailer footage gives us a decent clue. For example, Bucky can be seen watching Valentina Allegra de Fontaine with suspicion as they attend a gathering featuring items from the Avengers' various adventures, while de Fontaine can also be seen watching Bob (who will presumably become the arch-villain, the Void) use his powers. It therefore stands to reason that Bucky will return to form inThunderbolts*in response.
Thunderbolts*
Cast
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories to survive and achieve their goals.
Captain America: Brave New World
Captain America: Brave New World (formerly titledNew World Order)marks Sam Wilson’s first MCU big-screen appearance as Steve Rogers' successor after receiving the suit and shield in Phase 4’s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Anthony Mackie returns as the titular Avenger alongside Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Carl Lumby as Isaiah Bradley, and Tim Blake Nelson as The Incredible Hulk’s former ally Samuel Sterns. Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.After meeting President Thaddeus Ross, Sam is caught in a global crisis. He must expose the mastermind behind a sinister plot before the world descends into turmoil. Captain America: Brave New World marks the big-screen debut of Sam Wilson as Captain America, and Harrison Ford makes his MCU debut, replacing the late William Hurt as Thaddeus Ross.
