Sebastian Stan has touched on why he was glad to be cast as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Winter Soldier and not Captain America despite being up for the latter role.

Stan's comments come from Abrams Books' The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which also examines the process behind Chris Evans' casting as the MCU's Steve Rogers. "Chris was perfect -- a great actor who was the embodiment of Steve Rogers," said Stephen Broussard, Marvel Studios' VP of Production and Development. "Even without any costuming, he had the right look. The only thing going against him was these other [Fantastic Four] films that didn't live up to expectations."

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In spite of this, Broussard and Marvel Studios President/Chief Creative Officer Kevin Feige met with Evans and pitched him the story for 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger. While Evans mulled their offer, Broussard and Feige went to an early private screening of The Apparition in order to watch Stan's performance in the horror film. While Stan had already screen-tested for the role of Steve Rogers for casting directors Sarah Finn and Randi Hiller, his acting in the movie was strong enough to convince Feige to meet with him about playing Bucky Barnes instead.

"I was completely taken with that character," said Stan, explaining that Feige took him through Bucky's history in Marvel's comic books, including Ed Brubaker's Winter Soldier arc (none of which Stan was familiar with). "I definitely want to be clear about this: I am extremely grateful I got this role and not the Captain America role. I looked at it like it was meant to be."

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Stan made his debut as Bucky in The First Avenger, prior to the character transforming into the Winter Soldier for the aptly-titled sequel, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, in 2014. The actor has since reprised his role in multiple MCU movies, as well as starring opposite Anthony Mackie as Sam Wilson in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier series on Disney+. Not long after the show wrapped earlier this year, Stan admitted he has "no idea" whether he will return as Bucky or not. "It’s not up to me. I don’t make these decisions. As long as they’ll keep calling, I’m there," he added.

The Falcon and the Winter Soldier is streaming on Disney+. Mackie will reprise his role as Sam/Captain America in the upcoming Captain America 4, although there's no word yet on whether Stan is also returning as Bucky for the film.

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Source: The Story of Marvel Studios: The Making of the Marvel Cinematic Universe