Sebastian Stan's Unscripted Thunderbolts Moment Almost Got Cut
Marvel Studios reveals how an accidental scene between Hannah John-Kamen and Sebastian Stan became one of the film's most memorable moments, plus why Stan initially wanted his dishwasher bit removed.
Most Marvel fans have already caught Thunderbolts on Disney+. But behind-the-scenes stories keep emerging from the production. Marvel Studios just dropped details about how Hannah John-Kamen refusing to return Bucky's bionic arm to Sebastian Stan happened completely by accident. The moment was so natural and funny that filmmakers kept it in the final version.
The unscripted nature made the scene feel genuine. It added authentic humor that audiences connected with, turning an accident into one of the movie's standout moments.
Stan Fought Against His Funniest Scene
While that arm-keeping bit made the cut by chance, another comedic moment almost didn't survive. The dishwasher scene where Bucky cleans his prosthetic caught viewers off guard. Director Jake Schreier planned this one deliberately, though Stan initially pushed back hard.
The Oscar-nominated actor told EW he thought the scene was pointless. Stan felt it wouldn't add anything meaningful to his character or the film's comedy. Schreier had to convince him otherwise.
Stan recalled his resistance: 'I immediately said to Jake, I don't understand why this is funny. You do not need this. This is silly. But Jake was like, But maybe you could be eating something and then it can just go everywhere. And I go, Really? That's what's going to happen?'
After seeing the finished product, Stan changed his tune. The scene worked perfectly for the typically serious Winter Soldier character, adding unexpected levity without breaking his established personality.
Marvel Finally Gets Comedy Right Again
Fan complaints about MCU humor have grown louder recently. Thor: Love and Thunder turned the God of Thunder into a walking joke, frustrating longtime supporters. The Marvels suffered from poorly timed quips that interrupted dramatic moments.
Thunderbolts managed to avoid these pitfalls. Every joke feels organic, like it belongs in that exact moment. The comedy doesn't intrude on emotional scenes or undercut serious character development.
The film draws clear lines between funny and serious moments. This balance creates genuine impact when the story shifts toward its climactic triumph. Audiences responded positively to this return to form.
Box office numbers for Thunderbolts reached $382 million worldwide. Critics gave it an 88% rating while audiences scored it even higher at 93%. The film proved Marvel could still deliver quality entertainment when the pieces fit together properly.