Danny Pudi reveals that his Captain America: The Winter Soldier cameo was unexpectedly cut short. Pudi, who's known for playing Abed Nadir in NBC's Community, made a quick cameo in Winter Soldier, much to the delight of fans. Although Pudi's appearance was extremely brief, he played a S.H.I.E.L.D. technician who has a run-in with Captain America.

Captain America: The Winter Soldier premiered in 2014 as the ninth movie within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film centered around Steve Rogers and his relationship with Bucky Barnes, the latter of which re-appears as a brainwashed assassin of H.Y.D.R.A. after years of being presumed dead. Once Steve Rogers discovers Bucky is alive and finds out what happens to him, he makes it his mission to rescue his old friend and help him regain his former personality.

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Collider reports that Pudi's cameo was originally supposed to include being punched in the jaw by Captain America. Pudi reveals that he had little to no time to prepare for his appearance; instead, the Russo brothers handed him "a sheet of paper, on set, with a couple of lines" and the entire cameo was shot in a single take. Pudi also highlights how excited he was about the scene, saying that the whole experience was "amazing," even if the infamous punch didn't make it into the film's final cut.

As for how Pudi landed the role, it's likely due to his close connection with the Russo Brothers, who directed both Winter Soldier and several episodes in Community. Pudi says that he received a text from Joe Russo, asking him if he had "some time in the afternoon" on July 4th. Pudi showed up on set with "no sides [and] no script" and learned on the spot that he would do a scene with Captain America. Although it's certainly an unconventional way to land a role in a major blockbuster film, it's one that has Marvel fans everywhere green with envy. Moreover, if there's anyone with the acting chops to pull off a sudden appearance like this, it's definitively Danny Pudi.

While Pudi may not have had a starring role in Captain America: The Winter Soldier, his brief cameo certainly left viewers entertained, even without the punch. For now, Pudi says he isn't sure what comes next for his S.H.I.E.L.D. technician, although he hopes his character survived Thanos' snap. That being said, here's to hoping we see more of Pudi's character in future Marvel films, along with released footage of the punch heard round the world from Captain America: The Winter Soldier.

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Source: Collider 

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