Wyatt Russell, known for his role as U.S. Agent in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, is determined to silence the skeptics surrounding the upcoming Thunderbolts film. In a candid interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Russell highlighted the cast's collective drive to defy expectations and deliver an exceptional movie. Drawing from his experience in ice hockey, he expressed a personal motivation to prove the naysayers wrong.

"We approached this project as a team, eager to make it uniquely ours and prove the doubters wrong," Russell stated. He emphasized his athletic background as a source of competitive spirit, saying, "I want to make those who think this movie will flop eat their words."

Russell acknowledged the unique challenge Thunderbolts presents, noting that it's not a "primed movie" like the Avengers films. Unlike those blockbusters, Thunderbolts features characters without established solo origin stories in the MCU. The 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 Russell himself as John Walker / U.S. Agent.

"The characters in this film don't have their own extensive backstories in the Marvel universe," Russell explained. He described Thunderbolts as a film centered around "misfit types," presenting a fresh challenge embraced by director Jake Schreier and the cast, with encouragement from Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige.

Russell also highlighted the diverse career paths of the Thunderbolts cast members. "Most of us didn't achieve success solely through Marvel," he said. He mentioned his own journey through various TV shows, David Harbour's Broadway experience since 2000, and Sebastian Stan's extensive work both within and outside the MCU. Florence Pugh, too, has a varied career that extends beyond her Marvel roles.

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 an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that a $65,000 residuals payment from his role in the 2010 film Hot Tub Time Machine was a financial lifeline. This unexpected windfall came just before he landed the role of James "Bucky" Barnes in 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger.

"I was struggling with work at the time," Stan admitted. "That payment from Hot Tub Time Machine essentially saved me."

Stan's portrayal of Bucky Barnes has been pivotal in several MCU films, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America: Civil War, multiple Avengers movies, and the recent Captain America: Brave New World. He is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Thunderbolts film. Additionally, Stan's involvement was confirmed in Marvel's Avengers: Doomsday cast reveal, indicating that both Bucky and other Thunderbolts members, like John Walker, will continue to play significant roles in the MCU.