Avengers 4 Theory: 10 Clues Bucky Will Take Over As Captain America

3. Bucky's Journey Truly Leads Here

Another point that reiterates the thematic salience of The First Avenger in the MCU is Bucky's individual growth during that film. He has everything he wants to succeed, and his friendship with Steve is defined first and foremost by his status as a protector and carer; he rescues Rogers from bullies, takes him along to dates, and looks out for him during his lowest moments. That status is then reversed when Rogers drinks the super soldier serum, as he rescues Bucky from Hydra's camp, and proceeds to be the biggest person in the room from that point on.

As Bucky says after Peggy Carter looks right through him, "I can't believe it. I'm turning into you."

Though that hint of jealousy would subside during the Howling Commandos' most prolific years, that role reversal is important to note. When Barnes becomes The Winter Soldier, the two are placed on an equal pedestal, equally as adept in combat, though in markedly different ways. They save each other in equal abundance, and by the time Avengers 4 roles around, and Steve is placed in the likely position of having to rescue Bucky from whatever realm his soul has been cast to, the cycle could yet be put to an end.

Bucky has spent much of the past century in and out of Captain America's shadow. Owning that role, then, however reluctant he would be to, would represent the perfect way of solidifying the character's agency whilst honouring his former friend and ally - divesting from his tortured past, and becoming the hero Steve always saw him to be.