MCU Star's Goal for Anyone Who Thinks Thunderbolts Is 'Going to Blow': 'I Want to Make You Eat Your Words'

Wyatt Russell, the actor behind U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is determined to silence the skeptics surrounding the upcoming film, Thunderbolts. In a candid conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell shared his and his co-stars' enthusiasm for tackling any doubts about the movie. Drawing from his background in ice hockey, Russell feels well-prepared to rise to the challenge.

"We approached this project as a team, aiming to create something unique and exceptional, making those who doubt the film eat their words," Russell explained. He added, "With my athletic history, I'm eager to prove wrong anyone who thinks this movie will be a disappointment."

Russell highlighted the unique challenge of Thunderbolts, noting that it doesn't follow the traditional superhero formula. Unlike the Avengers, whose members often have their own origin stories, the Thunderbolts cast comprises characters without extensive individual backstories within the MCU. This, according to Russell, presents a fresh and exciting opportunity.

The ensemble cast of Thunderbolts includes notable actors like 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, of course, Wyatt Russell as John Walker / U.S. Agent.

"These characters aren't the typical big-name heroes like Captain America, Thor, or Iron Man," Russell said. "They are more of the misfit variety, which adds to the film's appeal. The challenge set by Kevin Feige for director Jake Schreier and our cast was exhilarating."

Russell also pointed out the diverse career paths of his co-stars, noting that their journeys to Marvel were varied and not solely defined by their roles in the MCU. "Most of us didn't start out aiming for this. I spent years doing quirky TV shows, David Harbour has been a Broadway actor since 2000, and Sebastian Stan had a full career before joining Marvel. While he's been part of the MCU for a long time, he's also achieved much outside of it. The same goes for Florence Pugh."

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

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Earlier this month, Sebastian Stan opened up about his career struggles before securing the role of the Winter Soldier in the MCU. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that a $65,000 residuals payment from his role in Hot Tub Time Machine was a lifesaver. Before portraying James "Bucky" Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger, Stan played the antagonist Blaine in the 2010 sci-fi comedy.

"I was really struggling with work," Stan admitted. "That $65,000 from Hot Tub Time Machine was a godsend."

Stan has since reprised his role in several MCU films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, various Avengers movies, and this year's Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to return as Bucky in the upcoming Thunderbolts, and his name was also listed in the cast reveal for Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday, indicating that fans can expect to see Bucky and other Thunderbolts members, like John Walker, continue their journeys in the MCU.