Sebastian Stan has opened up about the challenges he faced in his career before securing the pivotal role of the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that a $65,000 residuals payment from his role in the 2010 film Hot Tub Time Machine was a lifeline during a tough period. He played the antagonist Blaine in the sci-fi comedy before landing the part of James "Bucky" Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011, alongside Chris Evans.
Stan shared, "I was actually struggling with work. I had just gotten off the phone with my business manager, who told me I was saved by $65,000 that came in residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine."
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige expressed his confidence in Stan's casting, despite his relative obscurity at the time. Feige told Vanity Fair, "You could see that he has so much inside him and so much behind his eyes. I’ll never forget that. I said to Stephen Broussard, who was one of the producers on Captain America, 'He’s going to be a good Bucky, but he’s going to be a great Winter Soldier.'"
Stan's portrayal of the Winter Soldier has been a significant part of the MCU, with the actor reprising his role in multiple films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), various Avengers movies, and the recent Captain America: Brave New World. He is also set to return as the character in the upcoming film Thunderbolts. Furthermore, Stan's inclusion in the cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday suggests that fans can expect to see more of Bucky in the MCU's future.
