Sebastian Stan: $65K Residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine 'Saved' Him Before Winter Soldier Role

Sebastian Stan has opened up about his career challenges before securing the pivotal role of the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that a $65,000 residuals check from his role as Blaine in the 2010 film Hot Tub Time Machine was a financial lifeline for him. This unexpected income came just before he landed the part of James "Bucky" Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011, where he starred 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.”

MCU head Kevin Feige expressed to Vanity Fair that despite Stan being a relatively unknown actor at the time, Marvel Studios was eager to cast him as the Winter Soldier. Feige recalled, “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 him reprising the role in numerous films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016), several Avengers movies, Captain America: Brave New World released this year, and the upcoming Thunderbolts. His involvement was also confirmed in the cast reveal for Avengers: Doomsday, signaling that Bucky will continue to be a key player in the MCU for the foreseeable future.