MCU Reveals Sebastian Stan’s Hilarious Thunderbolts* Scene Wasn’t Even in the Script
Think you’ve seen everything in Thunderbolts* on Disney+? Marvel Studios says one of the film’s biggest laughs — Hannah John-Kamen’s character refusing to return Bucky’s bionic arm to Sebastian Stan — was entirely improvised.
Thunderbolts* has been on Disney+ long enough that most of you have already hit play, but the behind-the-scenes stories are still rolling in. Two of them, in particular, explain why the movie’s comedy actually works: one happened by accident, the other survived an actor trying to delete it.
The accidental arm steal that made the cut
Marvel shared a fun bit from set: Hannah John-Kamen, who plays Ghost, did not hand Bucky’s bionic arm back to Sebastian Stan in a take. That was not in the script. It just happened, it was funny, and they kept it. Marvel even posted about it on Jan 7, 2026 with a cheeky 'Finders keepers' and a little arm emoji. Because it was spontaneous, the moment feels weirdly natural on screen, which is probably why it sticks.
The dishwasher gag Stan tried to kill
On the other end of the spectrum, the dishwasher scene was fully planned. Director Jake Schreier wanted a shot of Bucky casually stuffing his metal arm into a dishwasher. Sebastian Stan, now an Oscar nominee, told EW he pushed to cut it because it didn’t make sense to him and felt like empty silliness. Schreier kept selling it, suggesting Stan could be eating when the bit happens so the mess amplifies the absurdity.
'I don’t understand why this is funny. You do not need this.'
Then Stan saw the finished cut and came around. In context, it lands. It’s quick, it’s specific, and it plays off Bucky’s notoriously stoic vibe without turning him into a cartoon.
Yep, this is MCU humor done right for once
The fandom’s been loud about Marvel’s comedy problem lately. Thor: Love and Thunder basically converted a powerhouse Avenger into a punchline, and The Marvels sprayed quips at serious moments and face-planted at the box office. Thunderbolts* didn’t set the world on fire financially either, but a lot of that feels like broad Marvel fatigue. Inside the movie, the jokes are character-first and show up where they belong. They don’t bulldoze the heavier beats, and the story keeps a clear line between when it’s okay to laugh and when it’s time to lock in. The quieter, somber stretch before the win actually feels like it matters because the film knows when to stop winking at the audience.
Quick stats
- Director: Jake Schreier
- Main cast: Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, David Harbour
- Rotten Tomatoes: 88% critics, 93% audience
- Box office: $382 million
- Now streaming: Disney+ (US)
What MCU movie nails the humor-vs-action balance best for you? I’ve got a few picks, but I’m curious where you land.