"I've Grown Up With Marvel": Sebastian Stan Reflects On His 15 Years In The MCU And How Special The Bucky Barnes Character Is To Him
Thunderbolts*star Sebastian Stan opened up about his decades starring in the MCU as Bucky Barnes/the Winter Soldier. He initially debuted in Captain America: The First Avenger, as Steve Rogers' lifelong best friend, before transitioning to more of an antihero role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Stan has since appeared in many MCU films over the last decade, and he co-headlined a Disney+ series, The Falcon and the Winter Soldier, alongside fellow Captain America: The Winter Soldier alun Anthony Mackie.
Speaking with Seth Meyers, the star expressed gratitude for his time in the MCU, referring to it as "humbling." Stan explains that this is "because [he's] been able to be with them for close to 15 years now." The actor continued: "I’ve grown up with Marvel, I grew as an actor and with this character, it’s like I have a brother, in a way, a family member I see for Thanksgiving every year."
Stan then added that the powers that be at Marvel are "so supportive" of his career. He explained that " if [he] didn't have them, honestly, [he doesn't know if [he] would've taken these chances." Per Stan, he's "been lucky" to be a part of the MCU.
What Sebastian Stan's Marvel Comments Mean For His Career
Stan's comments regarding his time in the MCU indicate that the level of exposure and consistent work have bolstered his acting career. Before starring in Captain America: The First Avenger, the actor appeared as Carter Baizen in Gossip Girl, and concurrently with his first appearances in the MCU, he had a multi-episode arc as the Mad Hatter in Once Upon A Time. Back then, he also had supporting roles in films such as Rachel Getting Married and Black Swan, among others.
After his appearances as Bucky, his career took off, but he did not follow the traditional trajectory of a major leading man. Instead, Stan appears to prioritize complex roles, earning him a reputation as a serious performer. While concurrently starring in MCU projects, the actor has also portrayed a number of real-life figures, such as Jeff Gillooly, Tommy Lee, Vlad Tenev, and Donald Trump. As a result, he has become a critically acclaimed star, even recently earning a Golden Globe for his performance in A Different Man.
Our Take On Sebastian Stan's Marvel Comments
Stan's career is unique in that he balances commercially and critically successful projects, and his words indicate that being in the MCU made that a possibility. Additionally, his recurring work as the Winter Soldier appears to be a positive experience for the actor. As a result, it's no surprise he continues to return as Bucky in new projects such as Thunderbolts*.
Thunderbolts*
- Release Date
- May 2, 2025
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
- Director
- Jake Schreier
- Writers
- Eric Pearson, Joanna Calo
- Producers
- Kevin Feige
Cast
Yelena Belova
Bucky Barnes
Thunderbolts follows seven disillusioned individuals who find themselves trapped in a perilous situation. Tasked with a daunting mission, they must face the most shadowy aspects of their histories in order to survive and achieve their goals.
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