Sebastian Stan: Saved by $65K Residuals Before Winter Soldier Role

In a revealing interview with Vanity Fair, actor Sebastian Stan opened up about the career challenges he faced before securing his pivotal role as the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Before stepping into the shoes of James "Bucky" Barnes in the 2011 film "Captain America: The First Avenger," Stan found himself struggling financially.

Stan disclosed a crucial moment when he received a $65,000 residuals payment from his role as Blaine in the 2010 sci-fi comedy "Hot Tub Time Machine." This unexpected financial relief, as he shared, "saved" him during a period of professional uncertainty. "I was actually struggling with work," Stan admitted. "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, also spoke to Vanity Fair about their decision to cast Stan, despite his relative obscurity at the time. Feige praised Stan's potential, stating, "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 become iconic within the MCU. He reprised his role in several subsequent films, including "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014), "Captain America: Civil War" (2016), multiple Avengers movies, and the recent "Captain America: Brave New World." Fans can look forward to seeing Stan return as Bucky in the upcoming "Thunderbolts." Moreover, Stan's inclusion in the cast reveal for "Avengers: Doomsday" suggests that Bucky will continue to play a significant role in the Marvel universe for the foreseeable future.