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 movie. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell expressed that he and his co-stars are eager to defy any doubts and elevate the film. Drawing from his ice hockey background, Russell is motivated to turn critics into believers.

"We came to this as a group of people who were like, 'Let’s make this our own thing, let’s make it great and let’s make people put their foot in their mouths,'" Russell stated. He further emphasized his athletic roots, saying, "I have a little bit of an athletic background, so I was like, 'Yeah, I want to make you eat your words if you’re like, this movie’s going to blow, I don’t want to go see it.'"

Russell highlighted the unique challenge of Thunderbolts, noting that it's not a "primed movie" like many other Marvel films. He explained that the characters in Thunderbolts—a group of anti-heroes—do not have their own origin movies leading into this film, unlike the well-established Avengers.

The cast of Thunderbolts includes notable actors such as 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 himself as John Walker / U.S. Agent.

"There are no characters in this film, really, that have their own stuff in the Marvel universe that much," Russell continued. He underscored the film's focus on "misfit types" and the exciting challenge presented by Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige to director Jake Schreier and the cast.

Russell also touched on the diverse career paths of the Thunderbolts actors, saying, "I don’t want to speak for everybody, but most of us didn’t make it by doing this. Everybody didn’t come to this as a young person and make it this way. I did weird TV shows for a million years, and David [Harbour] has been acting on Broadway [since 2000]. Sebastian had a whole career before he joined Marvel, and while he’s been a part of it for so long, he’s also done so many incredible things outside of Marvel. It has not defined him. Florence, same thing."

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

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Earlier this month, Sebastian Stan shared insights into his career struggles before joining the MCU as the Winter Soldier. In a conversation with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that a $65,000 residuals payment from his role in Hot Tub Time Machine was a lifeline at a time when he was struggling financially. Stan played the antagonist Blaine in the 2010 sci-fi comedy before starring alongside Chris Evans in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011.

"I was actually struggling with work," Stan admitted. "I had just gotten off the phone with my business manager, who told me I was saved by $65,000 that came in residuals from Hot Tub Time Machine."

Stan has since reprised his role as Bucky Barnes in several films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, multiple Avengers movies, and this year's Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to return as the Winter Soldier in next month's Thunderbolts. Additionally, Stan's involvement was confirmed in Marvel’s Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal, indicating that Bucky and other Thunderbolts members, including John Walker, will continue to play significant roles in the MCU.