Hes hardly the most notable character on the IMDB castlist for Civil War, but theres a very good chance that Vasily Karpov is going to be a key element in Buckys backstory. And you have to remember, that story is more important than any part of the Civil War comic. Karpov is the General who reprogrammed Bucky into The Winter Soldier (partly inspired by jealousy when he works side by side with Captain America and the super soldier outshines him). And since hes involved, it seems particularly likely, as Moviepilot have suggested, that the film will jump back in time to World War II at least temporarily. That would fit the fact that actor Gene Farber isnt exactly WWII veteran age. Rating: 9/10 Strong, very strong. Karpov doesnt fit the timeline (unless theyre going to unveil another frozen and revived character) and hes such a key element of Buckys story (which will presumably be revealed) that the most logical approach would be to have jump back in time to see his role. In the comics, he has a replacement General - one Aleksander Lukin - who takes over his mantle in charge of The Winter Soldier programme. That role could be replaced by Baron Zemo in the film, unless Karpov himself is being reimagined as Lukin, of course. But it does seem a flashback sequence would make most sense.