Sebastian Stan: Saved by $65K residuals before Winter Soldier role

Sebastian Stan recently opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career—before becoming a household name as Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In a revealing interview with Vanity Fair, Stan shared how a timely residuals check from his role in Hot Tub Time Machine helped keep him afloat financially before landing the iconic Marvel role.

At the time, Stan was coming off a string of small roles and struggling to find steady work. A $65,000 residuals payment from his 2010 film Hot Tub Time Machine provided much-needed relief. “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.”

This financial lifeline came just before Stan landed the role of Blaine in Hot Tub Time Machine, which led to greater opportunities—including being cast alongside Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011). The film marked the beginning of his journey as James "Bucky" Barnes, a character who would evolve into the Winter Soldier and become a central figure in the MCU.

Kevin Feige, president of Marvel Studios, recalled seeing Stan’s potential during casting. “You could see that he has so much inside him and so much behind his eyes,” Feige said. “I’ll never forget that. I said to Stephen Broussard, 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.’”

Since then, Stan has reprised the role in multiple films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), various Avengers movies, and most recently Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to return once again in Thunderbolts, scheduled for release next month. Stan's inclusion in the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday further confirms that Bucky Barnes will continue to play a key role in the evolving Marvel universe.

[ttpp]