Sebastian Stan On Marvel, Bucky Barnes, And Why ‘Tom Cruise Is Not A Normal Person’

Some actors get to coast on charm, Sebastian Stan gets to survive it. Between Marvel press tours and the long haul of playing Bucky Barnes for what feels like a lifetime, Stan has been carrying the Winter Soldier’s weight on screen for 15 years.

In a recent interview, he didn’t sell the fantasy version of action movies either. He talked about the brutal physical training, the nonstop stunts, and the fight choreography that turns every punch and chase scene into months of prep. And then he went there, comparing another legend’s impossible workload to a reality check: “Tom Cruise is not a normal person.”

But the real twist is how Bucky stays complicated, even when the script changes, because he never gets to outrun what he’s done.

Action films like those in the Marvel universe might seem glamorous, but Stan insists they’re anything but easy.

The intense physical training, high-energy stunts, and complicated fight choreography make them some of the toughest jobs in Hollywood.

"Action movies are really f---ing hard," Stan admitted during a recent interview. While audiences may get swept away in the high-octane thrills on screen, the reality is that months of preparation go into every punch and chase scene. Reflecting on Tom Cruise’s incredible feats, Stan said, “Tom Cruise is not a normal person. I don’t know how he’s doing what he’s doing.”

Joshua Sammer/Getty Images

That’s the part that hits hardest, Stan’s “really f---ing hard” reality, even before you factor in the months of prep behind every Bucky-style hit.</p>

When it comes to his character, Bucky Barnes, Sebastian Stan is constantly discovering new layers.

“I’ve never thought I’d get to play the same role for 15 years,” Stan said. He likens the experience to having a second life, evolving alongside the character. Bucky Barnes, also known as the Winter Soldier, first appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011 and quickly became one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most complex figures. From his brainwashed assassin persona to his journey of redemption, Bucky’s story arc is filled with trauma and moral ambiguity.

Bucky is not your typical superhero—his dark past and internal battles make him one of Marvel’s most emotionally layered characters. This depth is what keeps Stan interested and engaged in the role.

“It’s not like now he’s a good guy and morally invincible,” Stan explained. “He always has to deal with what he’s done. That’s relatable. That’s all of us.” This constant struggle to come to terms with his past, whether it’s his time as the Winter Soldier or his relationship with Steve Rogers, makes Bucky’s journey unique.

Stan also shared how much he enjoys the thrill of receiving a new Marvel script, likening it to Christmas morning. “It’s like Christmas morning when the call comes. Santa Claus still lives,” he joked. For Stan, each new storyline brings fresh challenges and deeper layers to explore.

And once you hear him marvel at Tom Cruise’s feats, the whole stunt schedule starts sounding less like filmmaking and more like survival training.</p>

The Challenge of Action Roles

And just like the sister who tried to sabotage his Disney engagement trip, a man pleaded as his sister ruined the plans.

Still, Stan’s favorite part is the character math, where Bucky’s redemption never lands as “morally invincible,” it just lands as another fight with his past.</p>

Action films often depict complex characters, and Stan's portrayal of Bucky Barnes is a prime example.

Then Marvel drops a fresh script and he treats it like Christmas morning, because even after all those years, Bucky’s story keeps finding new bruises.</p>

The realm of action filmmaking demands a delicate balance between physical prowess and emotional resonance.

Bucky never gets a clean slate, and neither does Stan’s workday.

After that intense training talk, watch how a toddler at the movies triggered an awkward standoff between parents and theater-goers: parents vs. movie theater rules.