Sebastian Stan has candidly shared his career challenges before securing his pivotal role as the Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stan revealed that he was "saved" by a significant residuals payment of $65,000 from his role in the 2010 film "Hot Tub Time Machine," where he played the antagonist Blaine. This financial lifeline came just before he landed the part of James "Bucky" Barnes in "Captain America: The First Avenger" in 2011, starring alongside Chris Evans.

Stan recounted his struggles, saying, "I was actually struggling with work. 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's portrayal of the Winter Soldier has become a cornerstone of the MCU. He reprised his role in subsequent films including "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" (2014), "Captain America: Civil War" (2016), various Avengers movies, and the recent "Captain America: Brave New World." Fans can look forward to seeing him again in the upcoming "Thunderbolts." Additionally, Stan's name was included in the cast reveal for "Avengers: Doomsday," indicating that Bucky Barnes will continue to be a significant presence in the MCU.