Sebastian Stan was “struggling with work” before being cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Sebastian Stan has revealed that he was “struggling with work” before he was cast as the character of Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
In an interview with Vanity Fair on April 21st, the actor explained how he was scraping by in his career prior to his casting in the superhero franchise in 2010, which proved instrumental in launching his status as a Hollywood staple.
Stan said: “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.”
Having played a small role in that comedy film, his casting in the first instalment of Captain America was a curveball given his most high-profile role to date was a recurring role in Gossip Girl.
However, according to Marvel president Kevin Feige, “You could see that he has so much inside him and so much behind his eyes. I’ll never forget that.”
Feige recalled 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 is set to reprise the role in two upcoming instalments to the Marvel Cinematic Universe – Thunderbolts*, hitting cinemas in the US on May 2nd, followed by the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, slated for release next year.
It comes off the back of a critically acclaimed run for the Romanian-American actor, as his 2024 films A Different Man and The Apprentice being lauded, with the latter in which he plays US President Donald Trump scooping him an Oscar nomination for ‘Best Actor’.
Never Miss A Scene
The Far Out Film Newsletter
All the latest film news from the independent voice of culture.
Straight to your inbox.