After a new update, Bucky Barnes’ chances of dying in Avengers: Doomsday have just gone up. Thunderbolts* set up a new role for Sebastian Stan in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Bucky finally joined a superhero team of his own. The character was the one to put the Thunderbolts together, albeit begrudgingly, and the whole team returns alongside Avengers: Doomsday’s star-studded cast.
Thunderbolts* also revealed that the heroes are now the MCU’s New Avengers, though Bucky claimed Captain America was unhappy with them taking on the Avengers name. Thunderbolts*’s post-credits scene had the team watching the Fantastic Four’s ship. With all that setup, Bucky should have a major role in Avengers: Doomsday’s story, which could end up leading to his death.
Sebastian Stan’s Superhero Future Might Mean Bucky Dies In Avengers: Doomsday
Sebastian Stan has become known worldwide for his long MCU tenure as Bucky Barnes. The actor joined the Marvel franchise back in 2011’s Captain America: The First Avenger, with Stan appearing both in MCU movies and shows over the years. However, it seems like the actor is not satisfied with just one superhero franchise on his resume.
According to a new report from Deadline, Sebastian Stan is in talks to join The Batman 2. The role that he would play remains undisclosed for now, with DC Studios not commenting on the report. However, rumors suggest the MCU actor could be playing a major Batman villain, Harvey Dent, aka Two-Face, in DC’s upcoming Batman movie opposite Robert Pattinson’s Dark Knight.
Stan joining The Batman 2 could mean Bucky dies in Avengers: Doomsday for two reasons. First, filming for Avengers: Secret Wars and The Batman 2 will cross over, as the DC film enters production this spring and will continue for months, while Secret Wars shoots this summer. Second, if he is taking on a major live-action DC role, Stan could follow Scarlett Johansson’s path — joining DC after leaving Marvel.
Why Bucky Dying In Avengers: Doomsday Would Make Sense
Sebastian Stan’s Bucky Barnes a.k.a. the Winter Soldier looks up at the camera in Thunderbolts_
Bucky has been an MCU player for a long time now, with the character heavily featured in what is likely the franchise’s best trilogy, Chris Evans’ Captain America movies. With team projects and Disney+ series to help Bucky go from a hero to a brainwashed villain to getting rid of HYDRA’s control to healing from his trauma, Bucky has gone through it all.
Thunderbolts* could be the first step to his MCU ending, as Bucky is now part of a loving team. That, and the fact that Steve Rogers is coming back with a wife and a baby, opens the door for Bucky’s death. Sebastian Stan’s MCU character could sacrifice himself in Avengers: Doomsday to save Steve, his family, or one of his New Avengers friends, which is heightened by Stan joining DC.
Release Date
December 18, 2026
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