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 of the upcoming film, Thunderbolts. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell expressed the collective ambition of the cast to transform the film into a standout success, drawing from his own background in ice hockey to fuel his drive.

"We approached this project with the mindset of making it uniquely ours and proving the naysayers wrong," Russell explained. "With my athletic background, I felt a personal challenge to make those who doubted the movie reconsider their stance."

He highlighted that Thunderbolts differs from other Marvel films, as it doesn't rely on characters with established solo movies leading up to it, unlike the successful Avengers series. Instead, Thunderbolts features a cast of anti-heroes and misfits, presenting a unique challenge and opportunity for the team.

The ensemble cast includes 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 as John Walker/U.S. Agent.

Russell emphasized the diverse career paths of the cast members, noting that many did not start in the Marvel Universe and have rich histories in other areas of entertainment. "Most of us didn't rise through the ranks via Marvel," he said. "I spent years on lesser-known TV shows, David Harbour has been a staple on Broadway since 2000, and Sebastian Stan had a significant career before joining Marvel, continuing to explore varied roles outside of it. Florence Pugh, similarly, has a broad range of work."

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

View 11 ImagesEarlier this month, Sebastian Stan shared insights into his career challenges before securing his pivotal role as the Winter Soldier in the MCU. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, he recounted how a $65,000 residuals payment from Hot Tub Time Machine was crucial at a time when he was struggling financially. Stan played the antagonist Blaine in the 2010 film, which paved the way for his role alongside Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011.

"I was really struggling to find work," Stan admitted. "That residuals payment from Hot Tub Time Machine was a lifeline."

Stan's portrayal of Bucky Barnes continued across multiple films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, several Avengers movies, and the recent Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Thunderbolts. Additionally, Stan's involvement in Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday suggests that fans can expect to see more of Bucky and other Thunderbolts members, including John Walker, in future MCU projects.