Did Tony Stark ever forgive Bucky?

Yes, Tony Stark eventually forgave Bucky Barnes, but the process was complex and emotionally charged. Their relationship and reconciliation were central to the plot of Captain America: Civil War (2016) and developed further in later MCU films.

Background: Why Tony and Bucky Were at Odds

The main source of conflict between Tony and Bucky was the fact that Bucky (while under the control of Hydra) was responsible for the death of Tony Stark's parents. In Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Tony learns from Steve Rogers (Captain America) that Bucky, as the Winter Soldier, was the one who killed his parents, Howard and Maria Stark, during a mission decades earlier. Tony is understandably devastated and angry upon discovering this, and it sets the stage for the conflict in Civil War.

In Captain America: Civil War, the discovery of this fact becomes a major turning point. Tony’s anger and grief over his parents’ deaths lead him to take extreme measures, culminating in his decision to confront Steve Rogers and Bucky during the ideological conflict over the Sokovia Accords. This conflict ultimately leads to the iconic battle between Iron Man and Captain America, where Tony nearly kills Bucky and Steve, driven by his rage over the loss of his parents and the betrayal he felt.

Tony's Path to Forgiveness

Despite the devastating revelation, there are several key moments that show Tony's eventual path to forgiveness:

1. The Final Confrontation (Civil War): In the climax of Civil War, after Tony has fought Steve and Bucky, the truth about Zemo—the villain who orchestrated the conflict—comes to light. Tony realizes that Bucky was not acting of his own free will when he killed his parents. Bucky was under the control of Hydra and had no agency at the time. This revelation allows Tony to see Bucky as a victim rather than a perpetrator, which plays a crucial role in his ability to eventually forgive him.

2. End of Civil War: In the aftermath of the battle, Tony is still deeply hurt but seems to understand that Bucky was not entirely to blame for the actions that led to his parents’ deaths. Although there is no formal verbal forgiveness in Civil War, there is a moment of understanding between Tony and Steve, where Tony acknowledges that Steve was not trying to protect Bucky at his expense.

3. Infinity War and Endgame: Tony’s relationship with Bucky doesn't fully resolve in Civil War, but by the time we reach Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019), the two characters seem to have reached a level of mutual respect. While the Infinity War films don't focus much on their relationship, the key moment in Endgame is when Bucky, Steve, and the other Avengers work together to stop Thanos. There are no overt signs of animosity between Tony and Bucky at this point, suggesting that Tony has forgiven him—at least on some level.

4. Tony’s Death in Endgame: Before Tony Stark's heroic death in Avengers: Endgame, there's a sense of unity and closure among the Avengers. In the final battle against Thanos, Bucky fights alongside Tony, Steve, and the rest of the team. The fact that Bucky is there alongside Tony in this final confrontation suggests that any lingering animosity has been resolved, and that they were both on the same side, united for the greater good.

Conclusion

While Tony never explicitly forgives Bucky in the traditional sense, the events of Civil War and the subsequent films demonstrate that Tony comes to terms with the fact that Bucky was not in control of his actions when he killed his parents. By the time of Avengers: Endgame, it’s clear that Tony and Bucky have reached a place of mutual understanding, with Tony’s actions showing that he no longer holds Bucky responsible for his parents’ deaths. Their reconciliation, though never fully verbalized, is implied through their shared moments of teamwork and respect in the later films.