Why Phase 5 Still Needs Bucky’s Solo Movie As Well As Captain America 4

Warning! Spoilers for The Falcon and the Winter Soldier finale ahead. 

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier already wrapped up its six-episode run, but a second season is now inevitable. Marvel Studios’ second Disney+ series told the complete story of Sam Wilson ultimately becoming the MCU’s new Captain America. However, it leaves Bucky Barnes’ arc without a proper resolution, which makes another MCU property continuing his narrative borderline inevitable. Whether that should be in the newly announced Captain America 4 remains to be seen, because Bucky arguably deserves his own story now.

Coronavirus complicated Marvel Studios’ Phase 4 plans, hampering the release of its movie projects, but the franchise has been able to continue its storytelling through Disney+, with a string of small-screen endeavors exclusively dropping on the streaming service. But unlike WandaVision which had a more mystical but contained narrative, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier sent Sam and Bucky on a global adventure as they tracked down the super-soldier serum-powered Flag-Smashers. In the end, the radical group has been defeated – which means that the series, like its predecessor, should be done. However, this wasn’t as cut and dry as WandaVision, as there were still some loose plot threads that need to be addressed, presumably starting in Captain America 4 and perhaps even in a follow-up series.

As promised, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier delved into the legacy of the shield and what it meant to people outside of the Avengers’ circle. The introduction of John Walker, who briefly held the shield, and Isaiah Bradley fit well into this plotline. Sam’s story was also tied to the show’s primary goal, as he eventually embraced the idea of him being the next Captain America. Bucky’s arc, on the other hand, was all about moving on from his ugly past as the Winter Soldier. It involved Yori Nakajima — the father of one of his victims during his days as the ruthless assassin; Zemo, who framed him in Captain America: Civil War; and Ayo from Black Panther, who helped him resist HYDRA’s activation words. However, while Sam’s journey ended with him becoming the new Star-Spangled Avenger as he was always meant to be, Bucky’s narrative, however, wasn’t finished. There’s no full pay-off to his struggles in the series because as much as he was a co-lead in the series, his story comes second compared to Sam’s and it’s finally time for Bucky to get his own solo project to ascend properly to the status of White Wolf.

The finale’s title change to Captain America and the Winter Soldier supports the idea that Bucky’s story isn’t done. Granted that he’s attended to everyone on his list, there’s still work to be done for Bucky before he can fully shed his Winter Soldier persona and officially become the White Wolf, and it initially looked as if that would play out in The Falcon and Winter Soldier season 2. While Kevin Feige has stated that there is potential for shows that aren’t as clearly one season features like WandaVision to have further seasons, the immediate post-finale announcement of Captain America 4 makes that look less likely here. Unless it was a legacy anthology season, of course, dedicated to Bucky as the lead alone. And that perhaps doesn’t fit quite as well as a solo movie for Bucky.

While Bucky has finished crossing out the list of people he needs to make amends, what might potentially lie ahead for him in his MCU future? It’s worth noting that he has yet to address the murder of the Starks and they’re noticeably missing from his rundown; Tony Stark may be dead, but he can still reach out to the family he’s left behind. There’s also the matter of his now-complicated relationship with Wakanda after he broke out Zemo to be dealt with. Whatever the case may be, Marvel Studios can finally put Bucky at the forefront of their storytelling with the necessary Bucky or White Wolf movie in the wake of The Falcon & The Winter Soldier‘s end.