Sebastian Stan’s Unscripted Thunderbolts* Moment Leaves MCU Fans in Stitches

Plenty of punters have already caught Thunderbolts* on Disney+ since its streaming debut, but there’s still heaps of behind-the-scenes yarns to share. One of the more surprising tales comes from Marvel Studios, who recently let slip that Hannah John-Kamen’s character keeping Bucky’s bionic arm from Sebastian Stan wasn’t planned at all. The bit was so funny on set that it ended up making the final cut, much to everyone’s amusement.

Because the moment happened by chance, it felt more genuine and natural, which only made it funnier. It’s now one of those scenes that sticks in your mind long after the credits roll.

Stan’s Reluctance Over a Standout Gag

While that accidental arm scene got plenty of laughs, there’s another moment that caught viewers off guard: Bucky putting his arm in the dishwasher. Unlike the unscripted bit, this was a deliberate move from director Jake Schreier. Oddly enough, Sebastian Stan wasn’t too keen on it at first and wanted it scrapped.

In a chat with EW, the Oscar-nominated actor explained he didn’t see the point of the gag, thinking it was a bit silly and wouldn’t add much to the character or the film’s humour. He recalled:

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 admitted the scene worked a treat, especially given the Winter Soldier’s usual deadpan vibe in the MCU.

Thunderbolts* Nails the Balance of Humour

MCU fans have been grumbling for a while about the quality of recent films and series, with many saying the humour’s gone downhill. Thor: Love and Thunder copped a fair bit of flak for turning one of the toughest Avengers into a bit of a joke. The Marvels didn’t fare much better, with poorly timed gags blamed for its box office flop.

Thunderbolts* didn’t exactly set the box office alight either, but most reckon that’s down to waning interest in Marvel rather than the film itself. What stands out is how the jokes and funny moments feel like they belong, never forced or out of place. The unscripted arm scene is a prime example—nothing feels shoehorned in, and the humour doesn’t undercut the more serious or emotional beats.

By drawing a clear line between the laughs and the heavier moments, the film manages to deliver a story that lands with impact. It’s a return to the kind of natural flow and dry wit that made earlier MCU entries so popular.

Thunderbolts* at a Glance

For those keen on the details, Thunderbolts* is directed by Jake Schreier and stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, and David Harbour. The film’s scored a solid 88% and 93% on Rotten Tomatoes and pulled in $382 million at the box office.

Thunderbolts* is now streaming on Disney+ in the US.