I was saved by residuals from 'Hot Tub Machine': Sebastian Stan admits financial crunch before landing role in 'Captain America'

ANI April 22, 2025 204 views

Sebastian Stan was on the verge of quitting acting before landing his career-defining role as Bucky Barnes. Residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine gave him just enough financial stability to keep going. The Marvel role transformed him from struggling actor to Hollywood A-lister. Now he's preparing to reprise Bucky in two major upcoming MCU films.

"I was saved by $65,000 that came in residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine" – Sebastian Stan
Washington DC, April 22: Actor Sebastian Stan revealed that his acting career was on a life support before he landed the role of Bucky Barners in Marvel's 'Captain America: The First Avenger' in 2011, reported Variety.

Key Points

1

Stan nearly quit acting before Marvel role

2

Hot Tub Time Machine residuals kept him financially afloat

3

Bucky Barnes role launched his A-list career

4

Now starring in Thunderbolts and Avengers: Doomsday

Stan will be next seen in the highly anticipated Marvel venture 'Thunderbolts*' which also stars Florence Pugh in the lead role. Along with this, the actor will also reprise his role as Bucky Barnes in the upcoming 'Avengers: Doomsday'.

The role of Bucky Barnes came as a life support for the 'Winter Soldier' actor, according to Variety.

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair as quoted by Variety, Stan revealed that his financial situation was so crunched that before landing a role in Marvel, he had around 65,000 USD which came in residuals from his movie 'Hot Tub Time Machine' in 2010.

The Hot Tub Machine was directed by Steve Pink. Stan had a brief role in the movie.

"I had just gotten off the phone with my business manager, who told me I was saved by 65,000 USD that came in residuals from 'Hot Tub Time Machine,'" Stan said about the state of his career when the Marvel offer came in, as quoted by Variety.

The role in 'Captain America' franchise changed Stan's career.

Not only has he stayed with Marvel for well over a decade, but the MCU gave him bankability as an actor to help get various critically acclaimed movies made last year, such as 'A Different Man,' which won him a Golden Globe, and the Donald Trump movie 'The Apprentice. '

Stan was nominated at the Oscars in the category of 'Best Actor' for his performance in 'The Apprentice' earlier this year.

On his casting as Bucky Barnes, the Marvel Studios co-president, Kevin Feige said that despite being a relative unknown and best known for his brief stint on "Gossip Girl," Stan appealed to him because of his eyes.

"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,'" said Feige as quoted by Variety.

The fans of Sebastian Stan are now eagerly waiting for the actor's upcoming superhero ventures, 'Thunderbolts*' and 'Avengers: Dommsday'.

Reader Comments

J
Jamie R.
Wow, what an inspiring story! It's crazy to think that residuals from a comedy like Hot Tub Time Machine helped keep him afloat before becoming Bucky. Goes to show you never know where your big break will come from! 🤯
T
Trevor K.
Respect to Sebastian for being so open about his financial struggles. Hollywood makes it seem like everyone's living large, but most actors are just a few missed paychecks away from trouble. His Bucky portrayal is legendary though!
M
Maria S.
While I love Sebastian's work, I wish the article had explored more about his transition from Bucky to dramatic roles like in The Apprentice. The Marvel stuff is great but his range deserves more focus imo.
D
Derek L.
$65k in residuals from a small role?? That's insane money! Makes me wonder what the leads got paid. Also can't wait for Thunderbolts - Bucky + Yelena is going to be 🔥
A
Aisha P.
Kevin Feige was so right about his eyes! That Winter Soldier reveal in CA:TWS is still one of Marvel's best moments. So happy Sebastian got his well-deserved breakthrough ❤️
C
Chris T.
Fun fact: You can spot Sebastian in the background of so many 2000s shows. Dude was grinding hard before Marvel. Makes his success even sweeter!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Your email won't be published


Disclaimer: Comments here reflect the author's views alone. Insulting or using offensive language against individuals, communities, religion, or the nation is illegal.

Tags:
Sebastian Stan Marvel Captain America Bucky Barnes Hot Tub Time Machine Thunderbolts Avengers
You May Like!