"MCU Star Challenges Thunderbolts Skeptics: 'Prepare to Eat Your Words'"

Wyatt Russell, known for his role as U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is determined to silence the skeptics surrounding the upcoming Thunderbolts film. In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell emphasized the collective drive among the cast to transform the movie into something exceptional and prove the naysayers wrong.

"We came to this as a group of people who were like, 'Let’s make this our own thing, let’s make it great and let’s make people put their foot in their mouths,'" Russell explained. He drew confidence from his ice hockey background, expressing a desire to make doubters "eat their words" if they dismissed the film as a flop.

Russell pointed out the unique challenge Thunderbolts faces, noting that unlike the Avengers, the film's characters—often considered anti-heroes—do not have established origin stories in the MCU. This lack of a built-in fanbase presents an opportunity to surprise audiences.

The cast of Thunderbolts includes notable actors such as Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, Olga Kurylenko as Antonia Dreykov / Taskmaster, Lewis Pullman as Bob / Sentry / Void, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, Hannah John-Kamen as Ava Starr / Ghost, and Wyatt Russell himself as John Walker / U.S. Agent.

Russell highlighted the diversity of the cast's backgrounds, emphasizing that many of the actors, including himself, had varied careers before joining the MCU. "I did weird TV shows for a million years, and David [Harbour] has been acting on Broadway [since 2000]. Sebastian had a whole career before he joined Marvel... It has not defined him. Florence, same thing," he said, underscoring the unique journeys of the cast members.

The Thunderbolts: The Tumultuous History of Marvel's Twisted Super-Team

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Earlier this month, Sebastian Stan shared his career struggles before landing the pivotal role of the Winter Soldier in the MCU. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed how a residuals payment of $65,000 from his role in Hot Tub Time Machine saved him financially before he starred as James "Bucky" Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger.

"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."

Stan's portrayal of Bucky has been a mainstay in the MCU, appearing in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, various Avengers films, Captain America: Brave New World, and he is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Thunderbolts. His inclusion in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal indicates that Bucky and other Thunderbolts members, including John Walker, will continue to play significant roles in the MCU's future.