Sebastian Stan Points Out Similarity Between ‘Thunderbolts’ And Classic Film ‘One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest’

Amidst the slew of announcements for the Marvel Cinematic Universe following in the wake of Deadpool & Wolverine. One movie in the MCU slate, The Thunderbolts, has been beginning to ramp up in excitement. 

The Thunderbolts finds several antagonists and villains from the MCU come together to assist the government in top-secret missions, forming a group of unlikely heroes. 

Sebastian Stan returns as Bucky Barnes, whos been a recurring character in the MCU since his appearance in Captain America: The First Avenger. 

Alongside Stan, Thunderbolts* will also see Florence Pugh, Hannah John-Kamen, Rachel Weisz, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell return to their roles from previous MCU projects. 

While speaking about the film to Variety, Stan took an opportunity to compare the film to 1975’s One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest. 

Directed by Milos Forman, the film follows a man played by Jack Nicholson who pleads insanity when charges are brought against him, landing him in a mental hospital where he urges other inmates to push back against an abusive nurse. 

The film became a huge critical success and won several Oscar’s for that year, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Nicholson, Best Actress for Louise Fletcher, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Director for Forman. 

ComicBook.com notes that Stan’s comparison stems from the two narratives focusing on someone who has to bring together a very chaotic group. The comparison likely goes beyond that, with Stan’s Bucky Barnes likely being the leader of the Thunderbolt team, akin to the type of role that Nicholson’s character played in Cuckoo’s Nest.