Bucky Barnes wasn’t supposed to be a Congressman in Thunderbolts*, writer reveals

Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes in Thunderbolts* after a brief cameo in Captain America: Brave New World. Despite being a staple in the Captain America universe, Brave New World put him in a shocking position. Out of all things, he was shown to be running for Congress. That's an odd career choice for the kind of killing machine that his Winter Soldier persona has been. However, reality has been stranger than fiction, which makes this plot point seem oddly plausible.

Bucky Barnes' political career was still a surprise for Marvel fans. However, it wasn't supposed to be his fate after all. As it turns out, Bucky Barnes was supposed to be a mere political pawn, and his career as a congressman wasn't a real deal. It was rather a ploy, as explained by the movie's co-writer Eric Pearson.

While speaking with ScreenRant, Pearson also hinted that Marvel boss Kevin Feige was behind the idea of Bucky's political career.

"I think that was a Kevin Feige thing. In the last version that I did [for Thunderbolts*], he was sort of a lobbyist. He was in all the same scenes, but it was a little bit more humiliating. It was the same way you'd hire an old baseball player to shake hands at a carwash. He was being used by politicians to just stand there and propagandize Avenger stuff, and then you're like, "Oh, wow. Bucky's fallen on hard times." But then you realize, as he speaks to Senator Gary, that he's actually doing this as a cover to investigate Val, who he believes is doing all this stuff. I think the congressman thing came from Kevin, and I think that decision was made after me."

Sebastian Stan and director Jake Schreier reflect on Bucky Barnes' political arc in Thunderbolts*

While Bucky enters the political realm in Captain America: Brave New World, he doesn't last there till the end of Thunderbolts*. Instead, he returns to his roots and uses his therapy sessions to be a part of the "new Avengers." As Valentina Allegra de Fontaine mentions in a scene, Bucky doesn't last beyond half a term in Congress, ending this career option, at least for the time being.

During a conversation with Entertainment Weekly, Thunderbolts* star Sebastian Stan was asked whether it means Bucky Barnes will not have a political future at all. Stan said,

"Yeah, it's almost like crossing it out, right? He's still been trying to find his way of how he can contribute in a way that he hasn't before. Ultimately, he realizes, 'No, I am who I am, and I do things how I do them, and I should just do that.'"

He also added,

"But I think it is funny. I think it was an interesting turn that I didn't see [coming], and I think probably a lot of people wouldn't have seen."

Thunderbolts* director Jake Schreier echoed Stan's thoughts about Bucky Barnes' fate as a congressman. While speaking about handling this aspect of Bucky's arc, Schreier told EW,

"I think that's pretty well done. I think he's found a new place that makes much more sense for him."

Scheier also thought that a mentally healed version of Bucky would prefer to be in Thunderbolts* instead of getting into the political battleground.

"[Bucky is] Back on that motorcycle doing Bucky things, but with a new group of people that, even if it's the least expected thing, might be the best fit for him because what he's gone through, they're going through now, and he has something to offer them in that regard."