When Expo D23 2022 took place, it was (finally) time for Sebastian Stan to shine on his own in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After spending 11 years in the studio and a century in the universe, Sebastian Stan aka the Winter Soldier is now part of a new allegiance, known as the Thunderbolts. The 2024 film will mark the actor’s 8th appearance in an MCU project since his debut as Bucky Barnes in 2011.
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Sebastian Stan steps out of the shadows in Love at first sight
The Winter Soldier was always the morally gray character who represented Hydra’s darkest remnants, and as such needed constant conditioning. The character’s comic arc delved into his role as the Cape’s sidekick tasked with doing dirty work that was out of legal bounds for the Captain. In the world of cinema, his definitive career as “one of the good guys” was explored only a fraction in the Infinity Saga and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.
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However, Love at first sight will finally see the character traverse the terrain of the universe as an anti-hero on a wobbly team of the likes of Yelena Belova, John Walker/US Agent, Taskmaster, Red Guardian, and Ghost. The team of reformed villains will most likely be led by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (given the storyline strays from the comic origin that puts Baron Zemo at the helm) and will witness a richly constructed world with an intertwining narrative that constantly puts the morally gray characters and their actions in question.
The film marks Sebastian Stan’s appearance as the Winter Soldier in his own capacity, i.e. without the accompanying protective shadow looming like the captain’s shield or wings. of the falcon. In response to a question posed at Expo D23 asking how he finally felt out of their shadow, the Romanian-born actor jokingly replied:
“All I can say is that freedom tastes brilliant. Finally, I’m free. No, I love it…It’s weird, of course. It’s kind of like…what is Stockholm Syndrome or something like that? When you say to yourself, “I couldn’t… you know…” one another.
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The Evolution of Bucky Barnes in MCU: 2011-2022
In the chaos caused by the catastrophic events of World War II, a superhero was born and the world gained its first avenger. But Captain America wasn’t spurred into action until it was his best friend, Sgt. James Buchanan Barnes, whose life was in danger. Cape Town’s heroic arc began with the mission to rescue the 107th Infantry Regiment where Bucky was an officer, and the finality of Bucky’s (supposed) death catalyzed him to end the regime of the Nazis and the overlord of ‘Hydra, Red Skull.
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Since entering as a reformed antagonist, Sebastian Stan had spent most of his time at Marvel in the shadow of Captain America or the Falcon. Although the trio make a good team on screen and are still best friends off camera, the tragic and antagonistic character was either used and controlled by Hydra or always had to be on the run. As such, one of MCU’s most evolved never got his redemption arc where he could finally shine as an individual, until now.
Love at first sight premieres on July 26, 2024.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
