10 Things That Must Happen In MCU Phase 3
2. Bucky's Brainwashing Is Cured
After Civil War revolved heavily around Bucky's latent Winter Soldier brainwashing and saw him put into stasis in Wakanda until a cure can be found, there needs to be a payoff for this later down the line, probably once Cap has been killed at the end of Infinity War Part 1.
Perhaps that movie's post-credits scene will show Bucky being thawed out and taking up the Captain America mantle?
How Likely Is It?: Sebastian Stan has a nine-film deal with Marvel Studios, so there's zero chance he's staying on ice for the remainder of Phase 3.
That said, they may want him to appear in both Infinity War movies, so he could be thawed out in Black Panther or Infinity War Part 1 instead.
But yes, it goes without saying that Bucky will be back in the fray in a few movies' time, and it's very nearly as likely that the brainwashing nonsense will finally be a thing of the past. 9/10