Sebastian Stan Says Marvel Saved His Career: “I Had $65K in Residuals and That Was It”

Sebastian Stan is one of Marvel’s most enduring faces — but not long ago, he was nearly out of options.

In a new interview, Stan revealed just how close he came to fading from Hollywood before landing the role of Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger. At the time, his finances were dwindling, roles were scarce, and his future in the industry looked uncertain. “I had just gotten off the phone with my business manager,” he recalled. “They told me the only thing keeping me afloat was $65,000 in residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine.”

That phone call came just before Marvel called.

The 2011 casting changed everything. As Bucky Barnes — and eventually, the Winter Soldier — Stan not only found global recognition but also longevity in a franchise known for catapulting actors into Hollywood’s elite. The role led him to the center of some of the MCU’s most emotional arcs, including The Winter Soldier, Civil War, Infinity War, and the Falcon and the Winter Soldier series.

But it’s not just blockbusters that came out of it. Stan’s Marvel credibility opened doors for more personal and challenging projects. His performance in A Different Man earned him a Golden Globe, and The Apprentice, in which he portrayed a young Donald Trump, landed him an Oscar nomination earlier this year for Best Actor.

Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige always saw something deeper in Stan. “He was going to be a good Bucky,” Feige said. “But he was going to be a great Winter Soldier.”

Stan’s loyalty to Marvel remains rock solid, even as others in the industry criticize the MCU’s influence on cinema. “It’s become really convenient to pick on Marvel films,” he said. “That’s fine — everyone has an opinion. But they’re a major artery in this business. They help make smaller films possible, too.”

He also praised Marvel’s long-standing commitment to detail and storytelling. “I’ve never been part of a company that puts so much heart and thought into anything,” he said. “If Marvel was gone, it’d be such a big hole to try and fill.”

Stan will next appear in Thunderbolts, Marvel’s ensemble antihero film set to open May 2. The project continues the studio’s box office rebound following the massive success of Deadpool & Wolverine, which shattered records with $1.3 billion globally.

Now a Golden Globe winner, an Oscar nominee, and one of Marvel’s most consistent players, Sebastian Stan has come a long way from relying on comedy residuals. And with Thunderbolts up next, he’s not slowing down anytime soon.