Sebastian Stan, who plays the MCU's Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier has discussed the emotional ending between his character and Captain America in Avengers: Endgame. The relationship between the two has been a key component of the Marvel films, starting with the very first Captain America movie. There, audiences were introduced to Steve Rogers and his longtime friend, Bucky Barnes. Unfortunately, their relationship grew more complicated when Bucky was manipulated into becoming the Winter Soldier, though he eventually joined Steve on the Avengers' side. He even begins to show signs of his old self as early as Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

In Avengers: Endgame, Captain America chooses to remain in the past to live out his life with Peggy Carter, thus appearing as an old man at the end of the film. At that point, he passes the Captain America shield onto his friend Sam Wilson/Falcon. This decision will follow both Sam and Bucky into their new Disney+ show, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Before Steve travels back in the past, though, he and Bucky hug goodbye, though he doesn't tell his friend what he plans to do. Now, the Winter Solider actor Sebastian Stan weighs in on that moment and Bucky's thought process during it.

Related: Captain America Theory: Endgame's Repaired Shield Proves Steve Changed Timelines

In an interview with THR, Stan first discussed whether Bucky knew Steve would choose to remain in the past, explaining, "Oh, a thousand percent, yeah. I played it as goodbye. What I was playing was, 'Okay, I know he’s going, and he’s not going to come back. I can’t talk about it, because if I do, then they’re going to try and stop him from doing what he wants to do. So, I’ve gotta support that.'” The actor then elaborated on that, revealing Bucky knew what would happen with Captain America's shield, but not that Steve would show up as an old man: "Suddenly, when he shows back up again, I’m playing it like, 'Oh! Well, he didn’t tell me he was gonna do that. I knew he was gonna leave, and even though I knew what he was going to do with the shield, I didn't know he was gonna pop up over there now and be older.'”

Chris Evans as Steve Rogers with Bucky and Falcon in Avengers Endgame

Though Bucky and Sam will both play leading roles in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, it will be Sam who has the shield. This is expected to play a big role in the series, as he wrestles with the responsibility of the name Captain America. Bucky may or may not be of help with that, as recent footage of the series revealed the two aren't friends. As of now, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is set for an August release on Disney+. However, it was also one of the first shows to shut down during the coronavirus, and it's unknown when the series will be able to resume production. As a result, it's possible its release date will be moved, similar to the MCU movies that have been shifted due to the ongoing pandemic.

Stan's comments about his emotional scene in Avengers: Endgame speaks to his character's connection with Captain America. Though Steve is arguably equally as close to Sam as he is to Bucky, he and Bucky have the benefit of history on their side. Bucky also provides Steve with his last remaining link to his life pre-Captain America, which has had an impact on his behavior in the MCU. Hopefully, hearing Stan's thoughts on this key scene in Avengers: Endgame makes fans even more excited for his return in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.

More: Would Avengers: Endgame's Snap Kill Captain America? Why He Couldn't Survive

Source: THR

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