Marvel fans have been left fearing for the fate of Bucky Barnes after it was reported that Sebastian Stan – the man behind the character – had entered talks with DC Studios for The Batman Part II.
According to Deadline, Stan, who has been a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe since 2011, could join Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves‘s highly anticipated sequel. The nature of his role remains unknown.
Currently, DC has refrained from commenting on this week’s casting reports, however, Marvel fans have surmised that should Stan join the project, which begins shooting in the spring of 2026, it may leave him unavailable to film Avengers: Secret Wars (2027), which enters production in mid-2026.
Further fuelling the speculation, with Secret Wars billed as a sequel to Avengers: Doomsday, which debuts in December, fans are convinced that Bucky will die in the next instalment, leaving Stan free to move over to DC.
Taking to X, one wrote: “Being excited for Sebastian Stan to join The Batman II but realising that means Bucky is so dead in Doomsday.”
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Echoing this sentiment, another remarked: “So with Sebastian Stan and ScarJo [Scarlett Johansson] joining The Batman part 2 cast, I guess that basically confirms that Bucky is dying in Doomsday (maybe) and that neither Bucky nor Black Widow will be in Secret Wars, seeing as how The Batman 2 films at the time as [Secret Wars].”
Meanwhile, a third wondered, “Does this mean Sebastian Stan will no longer play Bucky (or killing him off)??? Or is [he] allowed to play both roles actively in his contract?!”
Whether or not Bucky survives Doomsday has yet to be determined, and there is a possibility that Stan could make time to film the Avengers sequel, as well as The Batman Part II, but in the meantime, fans are counting down to the former’s release.
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Currently, details surrounding the plot are limited, however, we do know that several of our favourite Avengers – including Thor and Steve Rogers – are teaming up with more fan favourites to take on Doctor Victor von Doom.
In a huge development in the MCU, Robert Downey Jr, who portrayed Iron Man from 2008 to 2019, is stepping into the role of Doctor Doom. “I think he just loves really rich three-dimensional characters, and I think he sees a real opportunity here with that character,” co-director Anthony Russo told Entertainment Tonight.
Echoing this sentiment, co-director Joe Russo noted: “It’s a very intense process developing the character. He’s so immersed in it. He is so dialled in.”
Avengers: Doomsday will land in UK cinemas on 18 December.
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Megan is a freelance news reporter for Digital Spy.