Sebastian Stan wants a happy ending for Bucky Barnes

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is nearing the end of its six-episode run, and fans have a pretty good idea of where Sam Wilson will end up at the end of Marvel’s latest Disney+ series: taking up the mantle of Steve Rogers and becoming the new Captain America. Less obvious is where Bucky Barnes’ story will go following the events of the show. Once Steve’s legacy is secure and the Flag Smashers are dealt with, what’s next for him?

Bucky has had a long, tumultuous journey to get to where he is currently. After serving in World War II, Bucky became a brainwashed super soldier working for HYDRA, then eventually joined the Avengers team. He also spent a fair bit of time in Wakanda, where he was able to start working through some of his trauma. However, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier proves he still has plenty to deal with. And although he promised to be there when Sam needs him, one wouldn’t blame Bucky for taking a break from all the fighting once he has a chance.

We’ll have to wait until the series finale this Friday to see if that’s where Bucky is headed, but it sounds like that’s where Sebastian Stan would like to see his character wind up. Speaking with Uproxx, Stan revealed he’d like to see Bucky get a happy ending — one that’s very similar to Steve’s (just, you know, minus the time travel). “Oh man, hopefully at this point, it would be in a nice warm bed as a 200-year-old man with a family,” Stan said. “That’s his way now, I think he’s earned that.”

Will Bucky retire after The Falcon and the Winter Soldier?

Bucky certainly has earned some time off, but it’s likely he’ll get pulled back into the action at some point during Phase 4 and Phase 5 of the MCU. Sure, there’s a newer, younger group of heroes taking over the Avengers, but they’re a long way from matching the original team — and they may need some help from characters like Bucky to reach their potential.

On top of that, it’s hard to see Marvel letting go of Stan’s talent just yet, especially when they’ve just begun scratching the surface when it comes to exploring Bucky’s character in more depth. With that in mind, the finale of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier probably won’t be the last time we see this character in action. (And besides, Stan already admitted he’d be game for a season 2!)

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