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Marvel Studios released the first look of Thunderbolts*, a new superhero film set to hit theatres in early 2025. The audience saw many familiar faces assembling as a ragtag new team, featuring erstwhile Winter Soldier Bucky Barnes.
The character, played by Sebastian Stan, seemed to have his iconic metal arm back in place. This new development is surprising, considering fans last saw Bucky's arm with Rocket Raccoon, given as a Christmas present by Nebula.
Neither the MCU nor the film trailer has confirmed how Bucky got his arm back as of yet. However, based on the Marvel Comics, there are several ways for the character to have regained his signature prosthetic.
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The first plausible theory is that the new arm is from Wakanda. It is possible that, after the war with Thanos, Shuri made another arm for Bucky. Alternatively, Bucky might have had a spare one since the beginning of his exile in the hidden city of vibranium. Another theory is that Bucky retrieves the arm from Nebula and Rocket himself.
The new arm could also be a way to introduce a new powerful metal to the MCU: Adamantium. With Wolverine now officially a part of the cinematic universe, it is necessary to introduce the metal that forged his claws and other weapons. It is possible that Bucky was given a new Adamantium arm either by the government or a secret facility involved in Adamantium armor. Whether Thunderbolts* will address the backstory behind Bucky's arm in the film remains to be seen.
Disclaimer: The abovementioned theories and plausible scenarios reflect the writer's opinion.
What is the history behind Bucky Barnes' metal arm in Thunderbolts* and the Marvel Cinematic Universe?
An important aspect of Bucky Barnes in the Marvel comics and movies is his metal arm. The charcter has had a long history with the prosthetic, starting from his role as the Winter Soldier.
Originally, it was the terrorist organization HYDRA that gave Bucky the arm. His original hand had presumably been lost from his fall into a ravine. Dr Zola (who programmed him as the Winter Soldier) gave him the added arm to enhance his combat skills.
Bucky's arm was destroyed in his fight with the Avengers in Captain America: Civil War when he became the main target of the Sokovia Accords. However, when he was in a shelter in Wakanda, Bucky was given a new cybernetically enhanced vibranium arm, courtesy of Shuri and her lab work.
After the war against Thanos ended, Nebula was seen giving Bucky's arm to Rocket Raccoon in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. This was a reference to Avengers: Infinity War when Rocket mentioned that he would steal Bucky's arm. This was the last time the audience saw the prosthetic before the Thunderbolts* trailer.
However, Bucky was seen removing a metal arm from a dishwasher and attaching it to himself. Though this comes with no explanation or context from the preliminary look at the film, it is clear that Bucky has gotten a new arm from somewhere for his adventures.
Thunderbolts* will be released in the theatres on May 2, 2025.
