MCU: 15 most perfectly cast actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Marvel Studios INFINITY WAR..Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes in Avengers Infinity War TV Spot..©Marvel Studios 2018

7. Sebastian Stan

Character: Bucky Barnes/The Winter Solider

When the good-natured soldier-in-training Bucky Barnes debuted in Captain America: The First Avenger, not even he could have predicted the icy fate that awaited him. However, Steve Rogers’ best friend and brief team-mate ended up going on to play a much larger role in the continuity following his untimely departure from that very film. And ever since, Bucky has been a beloved staple of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the anti-hero known as the Winter Soldier.

It’s hard to put into words how much Sebastian Stan has given to the role because, first and foremost, he’s technically played two roles. The life-loving young man ready to go off and defend his country in The First Avenger is a very different person to the reanimated shell with a bionic arm that returns in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Having said that, he has done a phenomenal job with both versions of Bucky and, over the course of past few years, has given us one of the most compelling character journeys in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Human Bucky wasn’t just a good friend to Steve. He was light-hearted and fun and, in his desire to get the most out of life, it was hard to feel anything but love for him. The most interesting thing is that, despite the character’s transformation in the sequel (and his continued development in the later movies) and how formidable and deadly he became, it was still hard to feel anything but love for him. A testament to just how good Stan truly is.