Sebastian Stan: $65K Hot Tub Time Machine Pay Saved Him

Sebastian Stan opened up about his career challenges before landing his breakout role as the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan shared how a $65,000 residuals check from Hot Tub Time Machine came at a critical time - right before he landed the role of Bucky Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger. Stan had played antagonist Blaine in the 2010 sci-fi comedy before joining Chris Evans in Marvel's 2011 superhero origin story.

"I was really struggling with work at that point," Stan recalled. "My business manager called me saying those Hot Tub Time Machine residuals literally saved me with that $65,000 check."

Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige told Vanity Fair they saw special potential in Stan despite his relative obscurity pre-Winter Soldier.

"There was so much depth and intensity behind his eyes," Feige remembered. "I told one of our producers, 'He'll be good as Bucky, but he'll be incredible as the Winter Soldier.'"

Stan reprised the role across multiple MCU films including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Civil War, various Avengers films, this year's Brave New World, and the upcoming Thunderbolts. With his recent appearance in the Avengers: Doomsday casting announcement, Bucky Barnes clearly remains a key MCU figure.