The MCU Just Retconned Spider-Man 2’s Bucky Barnes Reveal

Warning: SPOILERS ahead for The Falcon & The Winter Soldier episode 1.

The Falcon and The Winter Soldier delved into the post-Endgame life of Bucky Barnes — retconning Spider-Man: Far From Home in the process. Played by Sebastian Stan, Bucky was a staple of the MCU’s Captain America trilogy. As one of Steve Rogers’ most stalwart allies, he also fought alongside him against Thanos in the most recent team-up adventures. When the dust settled (and was reconstituted into the billions of lost souls), the world was forever changed. With a new status quo ripe for exploration, Falcon & Winter Soldier examined the positives of The Blip, as well as more of the negative aspects. Equally, the show gave more attention to Bucky’s psyche as he embraced a rare respite from war to finally start reckoning with his painful past.

During Far From Home, The Blip was viewed through a more comedic lens. The film touched on the idea of displacement and housing struggles. Regardless, the focus was mostly on students reintegrating at a school that had moved on. This included dealing with previously younger peers and younger siblings now being the same age — or even older. Peter Parker had a new rival for MJ’s affections. And the situation was humorously recapped by Betty Brant and Jason Ionello in a school news report. It was a necessary palate cleanser to round out Phase 3 and the overall Infinity Saga. Going into Phase 4 of the MCU, though, the fallout warranted a deeper examination. To that end, Falcon & Winter Soldier continued Marvel’s shift in approach to The Blip. However, it also retconned how exactly Bucky was viewed by the world.

Related: Why Bucky Ignores Sam Wilson’s Texts After Endgame

During the aforementioned report, Betty Brant paid tribute to The Avengers — both fallen and surviving. She mentioned that they were responsible for bringing everyone back, denoting a wider knowledge of what transpired in Avengers: Endgame. An image accompanied her words, one that depicted such heroes as Black Panther, War Machine, and even Bucky Barnes. His inclusion implied that his Winter Soldier days were in the rearview mirror of public consciousness and that Bucky was globally known as a hero. However, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier suggested that’s from the case. In fact, it was presented that he’d generally remained completely unknown. Now pardoned for his crimes, Bucky was, within reason, free to do as he wished with his life. He chose to actively try and make amends. And, as viewers saw, he did so with almost complete anonymity.

After meeting with Dr. Raynor, Bucky Barnes ventured openly through Brooklyn. He directly interacted with Yori’s neighbor. He had lunch with Yori in a crowded restaurant and was suggested to be such a regular that they knew Bucky’s usual. Yet, despite Yori being an avid reader of the paper and the events of Endgame still dominating the news, everybody remained none the wiser. Even when on a date with Leah and alluding to his true identity, nothing was picked up on. Obviously, that may have been different had he revealed his metal arm. As it stood, though, based on face alone, Bucky was merely an average joe. That was definitely counter to Far From Home — which suggested he should be something akin to a household name following The Blip.

It proved to be a stark contrast to Sam Wilson‘s experience. Whether by a random passerby in Tunisia or a bank manager in New Orleans, Sam was always ultimately recognized as an Avenger. If Spider-Man: Far From Home was to be believed, Bucky should’ve received the same treatment. However, that public perception perfectly reflected Bucky not yet feeling like a hero. Plus, the truth of Bucky’s identity and past will dawn on Leah and Yori in the end — no doubt provoking some heartbreaking scenes. As such, Bucky operating under the radar served a thematic and storytelling function that’ll inevitably be paid off in huge, poignant ways. Still, as things stood, however, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier merely offered up a fresh hiccup in the ever-expanding continuity that is the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

More: Falcon & The Winter Soldier: Every MCU Easter Egg In Episode 1

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