Editor’s Word: This text incorporates spoilers for Captain America: Courageous New World.

Whereas Captain America: Courageous New World largely facilities on Sam Wilson’s (Anthony Mackie) evolution as the brand new Star-Spangled Avenger, one of many movie’s largest surprises comes within the type of Bucky Barnes, who makes a short however significant look. The newly minted Academy Award nominee Sebastian Stan returned as the previous Winter Soldier forward of his starring function in Might’s Thunderbolts*. Based on director Julius Onah, Bucky’s presence within the movie was at all times supposed — although his placement inside the story modified throughout improvement.

“Bucky was at all times part of it,” Onah informed Collider’s Steve Weintraub whereas confirming that Mackie had been fibbing earlier than the film. “There are such a lot of nice characters that Sam has had relationships with, and from the very starting, we knew that Bucky would function indirectly within the story.” Whereas some followers could have anticipated Bucky to have a bigger function, Onah defined that his restricted display screen time was a deliberate option to maximise the emotional affect of his look. He defined:

“There have been variations the place he was initially of the film, there have been variations the place he was on the very finish of the film, however it turned clear that placing him at some extent the place Sam is coping with certainly one of his emotional lows could be very, very potent, and in addition provide a shock. I do not assume the viewers is ever anticipating that that is the second he’ll present up within the film, and I like that type of shock.”

Sam and Bucky’s Reunion Was Tightly Scripted

The scene additionally serves to remind audiences of the sturdy bond between Sam and Bucky, as the 2 characters’ dynamic was a serious focus of The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Onah revealed that the combo of significant and humorous tones of their scene collectively was fastidiously crafted.

“It was scripted, after which, for me, and I believe that is the case with any nice scene, you must enable the actors to convey one thing to it,” Onah mentioned. “Within the very starting, we shoot the scripted model, after which I will go over and say, ‘Have enjoyable with it.’ So, the form of the scene and even among the phrases there are what’s scripted. It is simply them having just a little little bit of enjoyable with some conduct or throwing in a line right here or there. I believe that will get you the most effective natural end result.”

Captain America: Courageous New World is taking part in in theaters now. Keep tuned at Collider for extra.