Sebastian Stan plays the most complex character in the film “Captain America: Civil War.” Previously he was loyal James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes in “Captain America: The First Avenger,” then the enigmatic Winter Soldier in “Captain America: The Winter Soldier.”
In “Civil War,” director Joe Russo said Stan combined elements of his two previous characters. Thus Stan’s performance reflected the growing complexity of the franchise.
Stan said he is happy to be along for the ride. “I never know where they’re going to take me,” he noted. “In this film, I got to be a little crazy.”
Stan was most recently seen in “The Martian” and “Ricki and the Flash.”
The role of the friend/assassin in “Civil War,” however, was Stan’s biggest break. He also enjoyed being surrounded by actors like Chris Evans and Robert Downey Jr. “That’s the whole thing. I always try, even outside of this, to surround myself with good actors. I think it just elevates you.”
There is a dark side to the Winter Soldier, and Stan explained how he channeled it: “I lucked out with this movie because we shot my stuff in big chunks and I had a little time off and then back on. When you get a routine like that going, it helps. What happens is, the first two months before we start is the hard part, and then once you go, it’s much easier.”
Part of “Civil War’s” appeal lies in the push-and-pull between the triangular bromance of Captain America, the Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Stan said it’s all good: “We’re like Three Amigos, we’re just really funny. It’s exciting going forward just thinking about some of that appearing onscreen, the rapport between us.”
Anthony Mackie thought differently: “The Winter Soldier is like the friend you don’t want to have. He just gets us into trouble.” Ruel S. De Vera