The chemistry between Bucky Barnes and Sam Wilson inspired fans to pair up the heroes romantically in Disney+'s The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, and Bucky's actor Sebastian Stan supports it.
In an interview with Variety, Stan shared his opinion about Sam and Bucky's friendship becoming a romance. "I’m just happy that the relationship is embraced," said Stan, "and it should be embraced in whatever way or fashion that people desire and want it to be."
Sam and Bucky's contentious partnership started in Captain America: Civil War. Even though they were on the same side of the Sokovia Accords dispute, they had back-and-forth exchanges sniping at each other. This continued in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, but the show also explored other aspects of their complex relationship.
Despite their combative natures, the two characters were still connected in the wake of Steve Rogers' absence, teaming up to take down the Flag Smashers. Bucky is an advocate for Sam taking on the Captain America mantle, believing him to be worthy. The pair even have a scene reminiscent of couples counseling, in which they're forced to express their emotions to one another as part of Bucky's mandated therapy to heal from his time as a brainwashed assassin.
The Bucky/Sam pairing is a recent example of a long tradition of fans shipping characters that haven't been linked together romantically in canon. Bucky has also been matched with his old pal Steve, Captain America himself, but with Steve currently M.I.A., more fans have indulged in the pairing with Sam Wilson.
These ships are sometimes an expression of fans' desire for more representation. Marvel has made an effort to bring LGBTQ characters into the MCU: Director Anthony Russo played a gay man in a survivors' support group in Avengers: Endgame, and Tessa Thompson of Thor: Ragnarok has made statements confirming that her character Valkyrie is a bisexual woman. However, LBGTQ characters are still relatively scarce in the franchise.
Directed by Kari Skogland and written by Malcolm Spellman, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier stars Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson/The Falcon, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier, Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, Wyatt Russell as John Walker/Captain America, Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau, Adepero Oduye as Sarah Wilson, Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres, Clé Bennett as Lemar Hoskins/Battlestar, Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Washington and Daniel Brühl as Baron Helmut Zemo. The first season is available to stream on Disney+.
Source: Variety
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