"Is that Bucky?": Marvel's Thunderbolts* teaser trailer hints Bucky's therapy was a waste of time

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in the Thunderbolts teaser trailer (Image via Marvel)
Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in the Thunderbolts* teaser trailer (Image via Marvel)

Marvel fans finally got the teaser trailer for Thunderbolts*. The installment holds promising action and character dynamics, focusing on Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes.

Though a return for Bucky is a focal point of the Thunderbolts* trailer, a hall of antiheroes enters with it: Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Wyatt Russell as John Walker, and David Harbour as Red Guardian.

The film will hit theaters on May 2, 2025, and it gives a glimpse of all the challenges this morally ambiguous team will face. They will begin their covert operations and navigate their own territories.

The response on social media has been overwhelmingly positive, and fans have shared their thoughts on key moments from the trailer.

@IanBoggs: "Is that Bucky?" Famous words!

This comment highlights the emotions in the thrill of Bucky's easygoing nature, which was indeed reflected in one line of the trailer itself. It is a nostalgic callback that connects the audience with Bucky's complicated history in the MCU.

@lauriewhite8153: Bucky pulling his arm out of the dishwasher was hilarious!!!

This was a moment fans had been waiting for—a blend of action and comedy.

@jamesstevens1967: This ain't no teaser. This a straight-up trailer!

Fans are excited, arguing that the trailer has more content than it is supposed to have, thus increasing expectations from the movie.

@Dedman_Tech: "IS THAT BUCKY" - Hell YEAH it's BUCKY!

This excited statement underlines the euphoria over Bucky's return, highlighting how much this character is missed in the MCU. The tremendous response toward Bucky demonstrates how beloved he is, and how his journey has captured the audience's attention.

@JasminWeiderhold: Bucky coming out with an explosive launcher from his Winter Soldier days is INSANE (...) all of you in XAI770K ??

In Bucky's action sequences, the film adds scenes of dark moments from the previous films where he was more deadly. Introducing his arsenal raises questions about which parts of his dark history he brings to this new life.

@ChrisDaArtist: Looks like Bucky's therapy was a waste of time.

This remark turns into a question regarding Bucky's character arc and whether his redemptive struggles will form a relevant theme. The tone points out that Bucky's past might still haunt him, leaving an inner struggle in his character.


Bucky Barnes returns in Thunderbolts* but is his therapy in vain?

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More importantly, though, Bucky Barnes's return in the Thunderbolts* trailer raises questions surrounding his development as a character, especially since The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

Here, one would say that despite all the rehabilitation and self-discovery efforts, the trailer suggests that he has reverted to his violent tendencies—the tendencies of the Winter Soldier.

In the Thunderbolts* scene where they ask, "Is that Bucky?", he is armed to the teeth with weapons. Bucky is also seen revving by on a motorcycle. This suggests an inner conflict between his former life and the expectations for redemption. This tension is important, as viewers are left wondering if Bucky is going to give in to his darker impulses or rise above them.

Whereas Bucky's bright moments—like pulling his arm out of the dishwasher—are contrasted with darker, violent actions. His journey has always been about redemption.

The trailer suggests that it may not be smooth sailing ahead for the character. Thunderbolts* fans are most eager to know whether Bucky battles those demons in his head.


Will the Thunderbolts* antihero team dynamics lead to chaos or camaraderie?

Florence Pugh in the Thunderbolts* trailer (Image via Marvel)
Florence Pugh in the Thunderbolts* trailer (Image via Marvel)

The trailer for Thunderbolts* depicts a team dynamic that cannot be claimed as cohesive. If one looks at Yelena, John Walker, Ghost, and Bucky, the interactions depicted will resemble a messy patchwork of personalities.

The clip is set to produce characters clashing with each other almost as often as they fight outside threats, suggesting interpersonal conflicts will take center stage in the movie.

The tension between Red Guardian and John Walker, among other characters, brings a mix of comedy and a look into what it means to be an antihero. The expectation that there would be some deception in Yelena's words when she said, "Everyone here has done bad things," serves to belie the team's interaction.

Thunderbolts* viewers are left scratching their heads as to whether these characters could realistically form a functioning team.

However, it appears that the trailer somewhat suggests this uncomfortable interaction may evolve into one of cooperation after many trials and tribulations.


Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is set to hit theaters next year.

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Edited by Sezal Srivastava