Come the next two AVENGERS movies we could see some stories end for the more seasoned veterans of the MCU – like Iron Man/Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) and more. However, there are plenty more adventures in store for the newer additions – including Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) – who actually takes on the mantle of Captain America in the comics. Is taking on the title something Stan is interested in doing should the position become available? Well, of course, he would! Who wouldn’t?
Stan was doing a Q&A at the Wizard World St. Louis con (via ComicBook), and part way through the interview (at about 23:30) the interviewer asked Stan if he would like to take on the role of Captain America in the MCU. Stan said that is something he would love to do, even if Barnes would be a far cry from the Boy Scout Rogers is.
I mean, yeah I would love that one day, absolutely. I don't know when that day would be, and I just think…it would be a very different Captain America you know, you wouldn't be able to have the same Captain America as you have right now because he's a different guy. Again, there's this issue where we've got to get him to be trustworthy enough for them to give him that responsibility, you know, to fill those shoes, and those are hard shoes to fill. So I think it's possible, I really do, but it just has to make sense and we might need a little more time.
Barnes famously takes up the shield to become Captain America during a run in the Marvel comics, and many fans have believed the character is on track to do the same thing in the movies. One aspect to prove this may be true is how much Barnes has become integrated into the movies, traveling the path from brainwash-induced villainy to becoming a good guy. Another reason for thinking he will become Cap is that Stan has signed on for a reported nine movies, and as of AVENGERS 4, will have only knocked out four films.
There is still the fact Evans is still playing the character, even though he has said he may not continue with the role (or acting in general) past his Marvel contract commitment. But he’s also said he’s willing to extend his contract should the option arise, so at this point, we have no clue what’s going on. Maybe he would stay on to keep playing Rogers, but only if he gets to retire and run and a B&B.
I have a feeling Marvel has big plans for Barnes, and that making him the new Cap is part of it. That just seems to be the path they're taking him on, what with spending so much time focused on bringing him back to the light side, which will probably see him fighting against Thanos' army in INFINITY WAR. Plus, the dynamic he brings to the movies, having been a villain, would make for some interesting chemistry among the other team members. Like Stan said, who knows when it would happen, but if I'm a betting man, I'd say we'll know for sure come May 2019.
See Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes next in AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR May 4.