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

Wyatt Russell, known for portraying U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is determined to prove skeptics wrong about the upcoming Thunderbolts film. In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell shared how he and his co-stars are driven to defy any doubts surrounding the movie, leveraging his own background in ice hockey as a testament to his resolve.

"We approached this project as a united front, eager to carve out our own niche and create something exceptional that would silence the critics," Russell explained. "With my athletic background, I'm particularly motivated to turn the tables on those who might dismiss the film as a flop."

Russell highlighted the unique challenge Thunderbolts poses, noting that unlike blockbuster hits like the Avengers, the film doesn't rely on characters with established solo origin stories. Instead, it focuses on a group of anti-heroes and lesser-known figures in the Marvel universe.

The ensemble cast of Thunderbolts 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.

"There aren't many characters in this film who have had significant standalone stories within the Marvel universe," Russell noted. "It's not about Captain America, Thor, or Iron Man. Thunderbolts is about these misfits, and that's the exciting challenge Kevin Feige set for director Jake Schreier and our cast."

Russell also emphasized the diverse career paths of the Thunderbolts cast members, underscoring that their journeys to Marvel were varied and not defined solely by their roles in the MCU. "Most of us didn't start out with Marvel. I did odd TV shows for years, David Harbour has a rich history in Broadway, Sebastian Stan had a flourishing career before joining Marvel, and Florence Pugh has made her mark in numerous projects outside of the MCU. Marvel hasn't defined us; it's just another chapter."

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

View 11 ImagesEarlier this month, Sebastian Stan opened up about his career struggles before becoming the Winter Soldier in the MCU. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed how a $65,000 residuals payment from his role in Hot Tub Time Machine was a financial lifeline before he landed the role of James "Bucky" Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger.

"I was really struggling to find work," Stan admitted. "That residuals payment from Hot Tub Time Machine was what saved me at the time."

Stan's portrayal of Bucky Barnes has been a cornerstone of his career, reprising the role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, multiple Avengers films, and the recent Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to return as the superhero in the upcoming Thunderbolts. Furthermore, Stan's involvement was confirmed in the Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal, indicating that Bucky, along with other Thunderbolts members like John Walker, will continue to be a significant part of the MCU's future.