“Thunderbolts*” Theory: Could Bucky and Yelena’s Shared Trauma Spark Romance?

The case for Bucky Barnes and Yelena Belova as the MCU’s next romance in Thunderbolts*.

With the new Captain America installment now in place, Marvel’s next adventure, Thunderbolts*, has to do with Cap’s buddy, who we all know and love: Bucky Barnes, who has been both a best friend to Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson. In this next MCU installment, “Thunderbolts*,” the plot centers around a rogue team of anti-heroes, hence the team name. It will be one of Marvel’s biggest projects this year, and many fans agree that after a long road of trauma, Bucky Barnes deserves to have happiness come to him, which may come in the form of romance with another teammate.

Yelena Belova was introduced to the MCU in the 2021 film “Black Widow,” Scarlett Johansson’s first solo Marvel movie. Yelena made another appearance to avenge Natasha in the mini-series “Hawkeye,” and since then, we’ve been eagerly waiting for her next appearance, especially alongside Bucky Barnes. However, more could be in store for these two than just teamwork: a possible romance.

This ship of Yelena and Bucky has been a heated debate. Some firmly say “no,” and others say “maybe.” However, Yelena and Bucky have many reasons they could have a full-fledged romance that we need to discuss.

For starters, there’s the classic trope of trauma bonding.

Bucky lost Steve, and Yelena lost Natasha. While both losses are different, both are heavy, and both have clearly had a hard time coping. Another key point in their trauma is they’ve both suffered from the same thing: loss of autonomy. Bucky and Yelena can understand on a deep emotional level the horrors of brainwashing, being used as weapons, and for assassinations. Their dark pasts correlate in that manner, and they are trying to make amends for the past. Bucky already has, but we saw in Hawkeye that Yelena has already had a harder time.

Their personalities are also similar. Both are slightly brooding, have dry humor, and are sarcastic. While Yelena might be a little more playful, both are similar enough so that their banter could bring up chemistry, and playful lines could turn into a lot of flirty one-liners.

While what’s been mentioned has been mostly for emotional and personal reasons for why these two could be the new Marvel couple, they would also look very good together. Yelena’s fashion, including some of Natasha’s old clothing pieces, has been something fans have admired for a while. That and her makeup, along with her new short hair. And Bucky has had the eye of female Marvel fans ever since he was introduced. These two would complement each other both, not just emotionally but, let’s say, aesthetically. Social media editors have notoriously shaped the Marvel fanbase, and this couple would definitely be edit-worthy.

However, it would have to be executed perfectly if this were to be done.

With a possible romance in the cards for important characters like Bucky and Yelena, it would be important to do it right. It could either go very well or horribly wrong. But with such important characters in the MCU, if a romance indeed happens in the “Thunderbolts*,” fans should remain optimistic and hopeful it’s done properly. Catch it in theaters on May 2nd, 2025.

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