After Recent Thunderbolts* Footage Details, I'm Convinced Marvel Totally Ruined My Best Theory For Why Bucky Barnes Is The Only Character Without A Superhero Costume

Bucky Barnes isn’t wearing a superhero costume in Thunderbolts* trailer footage, and while I thought I knew why to begin with, new footage for the next MCU movie has ruined that theory. While story details for Thunderbolts* are still forthcoming, theories have been abounding based on trailer footage and previous MCU appearances from the Thunderbolts members. While it has been quite some time for most Thunderbolts members, Bucky Barnes appeared in a cameo role as recently as the MCU’s most recent movie, Captain America: Brave New World.

There has been plenty of time for the other Thunderbolts members to develop since their last appearances. Ghost, for instance, has received a significant super-suit upgrade since her last appearance in 2018’s Ant-Man and the Wasp. Taskmaster, who was last seen in 2021’s Black Widow, has also updated her suit – though whether she survives long enough for it to receive significant screen time remains to be seen. In fact, most Thunderbolts members look so swish that Bucky looks comparatively bland – but the reasons for his toned-down wardrobe are now less clear than ever.

I Thought Bucky Being A Congressman Explained His Lack Of Superhero Suit

Bucky Couldn’t Be Engaging In Superhero Activities If He’s In Congress

Bucky appeared in Captain America: Brave New World to deliver some words of comfort to his close friend, Sam Wilson. During this conversation, Bucky confirms that he is in the process of running for the United States Congress, revealing that he is on the campaign trail. This tracks with images and trailer footage revealed for Thunderbolts* that shows Bucky in a full suit attending what appears to be a hearing and attending a black tie event featuring Avengers memorabilia.

Superhero sentiment in the MCU isn’t exactly at its peak, especially with Wilson Fisk rallying against vigilantes.

I initially believed that this confirmed why Bucky doesn’t have his own superhero outfit. Namely, he is retired from superheroics and hasn’t worn a costume for several years. Given Bucky’s spotty past as an assassin, I have to wonder how he was elected in the first place, but it wouldn’t make sense for him to evoke his past transgressions by resuming activity as a fighter – even if it is on the side of the good guys.

Bucky Barnes is pardoned by the US government after helping in the fight against Thanos.

Superhero sentiment in the MCU isn’t exactly at its peak, especially with Wilson Fisk rallying against vigilantes. I thought this made it relatively clear why Bucky wouldn’t have a superhero costume to hand when teaming up with the Thunderbolts in the trailers. Then again, new Thunderbolts* footage has cast doubt on this relatively simple state of affairs.

Valentina Allegra De Fontaine Insults Bucky’s Short Tenure In Congress

New Thunderbolts* footage was unveiled at this year’s Cinema-Con, where ScreenRant was in attendance. This footage provided an extended look at some of the main scenes revealed in trailers. Despite this footage, including a scene where the dressed-up Thunderbolts members discuss their superhero outfits, no mention is made of Bucky lacking one. What is revealed, however, is that Bucky’s tenure in Congress was cut short by a whole year. The full description of the footage is as follows:

It begins with a shot of a city. Red Guardian and Bucky are riding in the front seat of a truck, bonding over the fact that they were messed up by the Soviet Union.
“What kind of super serum did you get?” – Red Guardian. “Hydra,” – Bucky. Red Guardian tries to convince Bucky that they should be co-leaders. “Are we there yet?” – Yelena Belova yells from the back of the truck.
In the back, Yelena, Walker, and Ghost are discussing their bodysuits, helmets, etc. Yelena is making fun of Walker for his “hat.” Red Guardian is asking Bucky what the plan is. “The plan?” He asks. Then we see their truck drive right into Val’s Watchtower (formerly Avengers Tower). Everyone gets out and starts fighting a dozen armed guards. Walker smashes one with his shield. Bucky nearly chokes one to death. Ghost uses her phasing powers we saw in Ant-Man and the Wasp.
Fontaine speaks on a loud speaker and says, “Guys, I left the door unlocked for you. Come up.” They didn’t know they weren’t supposed to fight everyone. Then we see them in the elevator (the same shot seen in the trailers). “Can you believe how many fights took place exactly here,” asks Fontaine as the team enters the main floor of the Watchtower/Avengers Tower.
Fontaine insults Bucky. Apparently he only lasted half a term as congressman. Fontaine calls U.S. Agent a “Junior Varsity Captain America,”. Then she calls Red Guardian an “Old Santa.” “You are all so adorable. I send you down there to kill each other, but instead you make nice and form a team.” Val then reveals she’s not alone as Sentry comes down the stairs.
More action shots and later they are all captured together, and then Yelena jumps off a building (Florence Pugh says it was the second-tallest building in the world). There’s lots of action, including Bucky using his arm to block a car that is barreling towards them.

In the footage, Valentina Allegra De Fontaine makes a jab at Bucky for lasting half a term in Congress. A full term in the United States Congress is two years, meaning Bucky will have only lasted a single year in the role. More importantly, Bucky is no longer in his role as a congressman by the time the Thunderbolts encounter Valentina in the newly-bought (and renamed) Avengers Tower/Watchtower. This runs roughshod over my previous theory, making it more questionable why Bucky hasn’t got hold of a superhero costume.

So Why Doesn’t Bucky Have A Superhero Costume In Thunderbolts*?

Bucky Is Between Roles At The Moment

There is a chance that Bucky has only recently lost his position as a congressman when Valentina insults him, not giving him enough time to resume the superhero identity before the events of the Thunderbolts pull him back into business. Nevertheless, I think there is another way of looking at it – and that’s the fact that Bucky is between superhero roles. He would presumably have renounced the Winter Soldier mantle (no thanks to The Falcon and the Winter Soldier‘s title) due to its past connotations, while the White Wolf identity never seemed to take off.

What Bucky Being The “White Wolf” Actually Means

Now that Bucky is no longer the Winter Soldier under Hydra’s control, he can deal with the past and learn to live, transforming into the White Wolf.

Bucky’s lack of a superhero outfit would therefore hammer home how his arc currently places him in this nebulous position as a super soldier without a mission. Ultimately, I think we’ll have to wait and see whether Thunderbolts* will address Bucky’s wardrobe choice directly. I’m optimistic, given the team is seen discussing their outfits in one scene, and I’ll keep my fingers crossed that he’ll don one before the movie is over.