Sebastian Stan says Marvel role saved career after Hot Tub Time Machine residuals kept him afloat

Sebastian Stan reveals what revived his career after $65K in residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine helped him survive.

Sebastian Stan has credited his role as Bucky Barnes in Marvel’s Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) as a turning point in his career. In a new Vanity Fair cover story, Stan revealed that his acting prospects were dwindling at the time he was cast, and a $65,000 residual check from Hot Tub Time Machine essentially kept him afloat financially.

“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,” Stan told Vanity Fair. Shortly after that, the Marvel opportunity arrived.

Since joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Stan has portrayed Bucky Barnes, later known as the Winter Soldier, across numerous films and series. Marvel Studios co-president Kevin Feige recalled that despite Stan being a relatively unknown actor at the time, he saw something special. “He’s going to be a good Bucky, but he’s going to be a great Winter Soldier,” Feige told producer Stephen Broussard.

The role helped Stan gain recognition and industry clout, allowing him to branch into acclaimed indie films. His performances in A Different Man and The Apprentice earned him a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination, respectively.

Stan has publicly defended Marvel amid criticism of its recent box office stumbles, including 2023’s The Marvels and Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. He told GQ UK that Marvel “puts so much heart and thought into everything” and remains an essential part of the industry.

Looking ahead, Stan will star in Thunderbolts, set to release on May 2, 2025. With Marvel’s recent success in Deadpool & Wolverine, expectations are high for its upcoming slate, including The Fantastic Four: First Steps.