Sebastian Stan's Bucky Barnes Won't Appear In Captain America 4, Confirms Anthony Mackie

Anthony Mackie starrer Captain America 4 will release in February 2025. (Photo Credits: X)

Marvel Studios faced a turbulent 2023, but now the team is aiming to put their entire focus on movies over television series in 2024. While this shift doesn’t mean the end for Marvel’s television project, fans can expect fewer shows. Among the beloved series was The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, which featured the charismatic duo, Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie as Bucky Barnes and Captain America aka Sam Wilson, respectively. Their on screen chemistry stood out and was loved by many. While Stan is gearing up for an appearance in Thunderbolts, Mackie will be leading Captain America: Brave New World. However, in a recent interview with Radio Times, Mackie hints at Bucky’s absence in the upcoming Captain America movie. Alongside Stan, Daniel Bruhl, who played Baron Zemo, also won’t reprise his character.

The Pain and Gain star said, “The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, I really enjoyed doing that show. I was actually excited to do a second season, just so me and Sebastian can get paid to hang out, because it’s like me, him and Daniel Bruhl. It’s kind of like the perfect storm of happiness. When they decided to go back to the movies, it is what it is, but I don’t have my friends anymore, so it kind of dampens it a little bit. Anything I can do to hang out with Daniel, a dancing Daniel Bruhl, makes me very happy.”

While fans will miss seeing Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson’s bromance on the big screen, Marvel Studios earlier unveiled exciting news during the D23 Expo. Danny Ramirez and Carl Lumbly are set to reprise their roles as Joaquin Torres and Isaiah Bradley from The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, alongside Shira Haas as Sabra. Liv Tyler will be back as Betty Ross. Tim Blake Nelson, known for his role as Samuel Stern, aka Leader, in The Incredible Hulk, will also join the cast. Although Stern’s character was mentioned in Edward Norton’s film, his story wasn’t explored. Meanwhile, William Hurt’s role as General Ross will be taken over by the legendary Harrison Ford.

Filming for Captain America: Brave New World began in March 2023, and the production concluded by the end of June. However, due to the SAG-AFTRA strikes, the release date was pushed back to February 14, 2025.