MCU Star Vows to Prove Thunderbolts Doubters Wrong

Wyatt Russell, known for his role as U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aimed to silence skeptics of the upcoming Thunderbolts film.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell explained how he and his co-stars sought to defy expectations about the movie. Drawing from his ice hockey experience, he emphasized their collective determination.

"We approached this as a team, determined to create something unique and prove the doubters wrong," Russell stated.

"With my athletic background, I wanted to challenge anyone dismissing the film outright—those who assume it'll disappoint before even seeing it."

Russell noted that Thunderbolts faces a unique obstacle—unlike The Avengers, its characters lack standalone origin stories that established audience connections.

The ensemble cast includes Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Olga Kurylenko as Taskmaster, Lewis Pullman as Sentry, David Harbour as Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ghost, and Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent.

"These aren't characters with extensive Marvel histories," Russell continued.

"They're not iconic figures like Captain America or Iron Man—they're the outsiders. When Kevin Feige presented this challenge to director Jake Schreier and our cast, we embraced it wholeheartedly."

"Most of us built careers outside standard paths—I did niche TV work for years, David Harbour had extensive theater experience, Sebastian had notable roles before Marvel. These journeys give us distinct perspectives."

Thunderbolts: The Complex Legacy of Marvel's Unconventional Super-Team

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Recently, Sebastian Stan opened up about his pre-MCU career challenges. The Winter Soldier actor revealed to Vanity Fair how a $65,000 residuals check from Hot Tub Time Machine saved him financially before landing the Bucky Barnes role.

"I was struggling professionally," Stan recalled. "That unexpected payment arrived at exactly the right moment—right before my Captain America audition."

Stan's Marvel journey began with 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger, continuing through multiple sequels and Avengers films. He'll reprise Bucky Barnes in Thunderbolts next month, and rumors suggest he'll appear in Avengers: Doomsday, confirming Thunderbolts members' ongoing MCU presence.