One of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's mainstays could be near the end of his run with Marvel Studios. A new report highlights that Thunderbolts* actor Sebastian Stan is set to enter the final stretch of his MCU deal.

Via ComicBook.com, Stan, known for portraying Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier throughout his MCU run, is approaching the conclusion of a long contract with Marvel.. Having debuted in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, Stan has featured in six MCU films, including all four Captain America movies and the last two Avengers entries, making Thunderbolts* his seventh big-screen Marvel project. Add The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If...? to his collection and that gives Stan nine MCU credits since his debut.

After Thunderbolts*, Stan would have two films left on his deal. However, with the deal struck before Marvel entered streaming with Disney+, it's unclear whether his TV appearances in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and What If...? would be counted, making Thunderbolts* his final MCU project under the current contract. Stan said at the time of his contract confirmation that there was ambiguity regarding his future Marvel appearances. Stan's contract development highlights whether Bucky will appear in the upcoming Avengers sequels, Doomsday and Secret Wars.

Stan's character has been important to the MCU's overarching story since debuting in The First Avenger, going from Steve Rogers' close friend to the brainwashed Winter Soldier caused by Hydra. Bucky made a surprise cameo in the latest Captain America sequel, Brave New World, alongside Sam Wilson/Captain America (Anthony Mackie), confirming that he's running for Congress.

Thunderbolts* concludes Phase Five of the MCU and promises huge stakes before turning to the Phase Six opener, The Fantastic Four: First Steps, and the Avengers sequels. Bucky, the de facto leader of the eponymous antihero group, is tasked with rounding up the troops, including Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ava Starr/Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), John Walker/U.S. Agent (Wyatt Russell) and Antonia Dreykov/Taskmaster. With the Avengers out of the picture, the Thunderbolts are forced into a dangerous mission by CIA director Contessa Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus) that could bring them redemption if they unite and succeed in their tasks. Stan has compared Thunderbolts* to a classic Brat Pack movie, suggesting it will have its share of button-pushing humor and dark themes. He also teased that Bucky is "evolving" in the film.

Stan has been a passionate defender of Marvel movies in recent months amid criticisms of superhero movies and has suggested he'd like to explore more projects involving his character. The Romanian-American actor expressed his hope for a project exploring Bucky's time as a Hydra assassin, plus other potential prequel ideas.

Thunderbolts* opens in theaters on May 2.

Source: ComicBook.com