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The Marvel Director Wyatt Russell Called Before Accepting The Role Of John Walker

These days, taking a role in any Marvel Studios-related project would seem a no-brainer. However, it turns out there are some actors out there who remain a touch wary of jumping aboard the MCU blockbuster train. You can count Wyatt Russell among them. The actor recently made his MCU debut as John Walker in the Disney + streaming hit "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier," with series fans largely praising his work as the man who briefly (and shockingly) took over the Captain America mantle.

But even as Russell is set to continue his journey as U.S. Agent in future Marvel projects, the actor admitted in an interview with Gold Derby that he didn't make the decision to join the MCU lightly, because there were so many unknowns involved: "It's hard because they don't tell you anything, they don't even tell you who you're playing until you have a meeting with them and say, 'Here you go!'" Russell continued, "So I had no idea what to think and kind of kept it that way, had no expectation, didn't know if it was something I'd want to do even after [reading] the part and they say, 'We want you to do it,' just because you just don't know."

As it was, Russell claims he sought the advice of a friend well-steeped in Marvel lore before claiming the role. And that friend happened to be the man behind the "Guardians of the Galaxy" franchise.

Russell conferred with none other than James Gunn before joining the MCU

Yes, Wyatt Russell consulted with Mr. James Gunn before signing on to play John Walker in "The Falcon and the Winter Soldier." Per Russell, the pair have become pals since Gunn worked with Russell's wife Meredith Hagner on "Brightburn" and directed his famous father Kurt in "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2." And in the end, Russell apparently put considerable faith in Gunn's opinion on the John Walker character while deciding if he should claim the role.

"I called James Gunn, who had become friendly with my wife. She had worked with him on a movie ["Brightburn"], and I trust his opinion." Russell went on to praise Gunn's work, noting that the director's insights into John Walker ultimately helped him make up his mind. "Obviously, he's a great filmmaker. He's in that world. He said, 'If it's the character I'm thinking of, it's a really interesting, inherently interesting character because he has a lot of issues that you have to work through.' So he knew a little bit about the character, which was more than my nothing."

For his part, Gunn recently confirmed the fateful conversation via his Twitter page, ending his Russell-loving post with, "He wanted to know if Walker was a cool character & if he should take the gig. My answer to both was 'yes.'" Judging from reactions to Gunn's post, fans couldn't be happier about the director nudging Russell to take the part. Likewise, they clearly cannot wait see what the MCU has in store for Russell's U.S. Agent.