When Sebastian Stan greets you, there’s a sincere warmth in his voice that makes you forget, if only for a moment, the intensity of the roles he’s played for the past year. The 41-year-old actor is riding a wave of critical acclaim for his vastly different but equally bold performances in The Apprentice and A Different Man, earning him double Golden Globe nominations — a feat last achieved by Ryan Gosling in 2016.
Last year, Stan proved, once again, why he is one of the most transformative actors working today. From donning prosthetics and exploring themes of self-acceptance in A Different Man to entering the psyche of one of the most polarizing characters in recent history in The Apprentice, Stan’s ability to disappear into a role is matched only by his determination. To tell complex stories, regardless of the repercussions.
If “A Different Man” was a personal exploration, “The Apprentice” was a social experiment. Directed by Ali Abbasi, the film is a biographical study of a young Donald Trump, focusing on his formative years and the traits that would ultimately define his presidency. For Stan, getting into Trump’s skin was not just an artistic challenge, but a minefield of public and industry scrutiny.
“This movie was the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” Stan says. diverseAwards Circuit Podcast. “Not just because of the complexities of playing Trump, but because of the reaction it elicits.” Listen below.
From the controversy surrounding its financier to the polarized reception associated with its release during an election year, “The Apprentice’s” journey to the screen has been filled with obstacles.
Stan speaks candidly about the hesitation he faced within Hollywood, both during the film’s production and in its aftermath. “People told me not to do it,” he recalls. “They said it might put people off, that I didn’t look like him, that it was too dangerous. But for me, acting is about going into what’s uncomfortable, and trying to understand humanity, even in the darkest places.
He carefully explains that The Apprentice is not about sympathizing with Trump but understanding him. “I think people interpret understanding as an attempt to empathize, and that’s not the point here. The film asks: Do you trust this man? Would you put your life in his hands?”
Stan’s deep dive into Trump’s psyche revealed something much darker than he expected. It gave people permission to lose their humanity and behave in ways they never would have behaved before. “That’s what scares me the most,” Stan says. “The opposite of love is not hate, but indifference. And I am concerned about the indifference we are seeing now.”
The backlash surrounding “The Apprentice” even extended to Stan’s professional relationships. When you are invited to participate in it Miscellaneous Cast For the series, organizers struggled to find actors willing to pair with him because of his portrayal of Trump. Stan calls it a disappointing but unsurprising moment, and emblematic of the discomfort many in Hollywood feel about the film’s handling of it publicly.
“It was interesting to see how hesitant people were,” Stan says. “I’ve had people come up to me at parties, saying it’s their favorite film of the year, but when it comes to publicly supporting it, there’s silence. That part of it has been difficult.
However, there are still bright spots. People like Paul Walter Hauser, Stan’s co-star and friend in “I, Tonya,” have publicly posted on social media offering to partner with him in the “Actors on Actors” segment. This support did not go unnoticed by Stan. “That was great,” Stan says with a laugh. “Paul is someone I have always admired, and moments like this remind me of the camaraderie that still exists in this industry.”
Thanks to the films “A Different Man” and “The Apprentice” that helped establish Stan as a fearless actor, he is looking forward to new challenges. He is currently developing a film adaptation of Ed Brubaker’s graphic novel “Reckless” and is working on a project with acclaimed director Christian Mungiu.
Then there’s Marvel, of course. Stan is set to reprise his role as Bucky Barnes in the upcoming Thunderbolts movie. Describing the film as a misfit story along the lines of “The Breakfast Club,” Stan hints at the humor and camaraderie that fans can expect. “It’s a weird collection put together, and I think people are going to love it,” he joked.
On whether he will appear in the upcoming “Captain America” sequel: “(Filming on) Thunderbolts*, let me tell you, it’s been a quieter year for me because I haven’t seen Anthony Mackie. So, I will say that. Even though I miss… Anthony Mackie is like every day, and that’s something I don’t like to admit.
But for now, Stan is enjoying the quieter moments. Speaking before the holiday, he was focused on trying to make time for family and buying last-minute gifts. “I’m usually good at giving gifts,” he says with a smile. “But this year, it’s been a little out of mind. I’ll put a day aside and figure it out quickly.”
Little did he know during this conversation that a surprise Golden Globe win for “A Different Man” would be in his future. It was well deserved.
Also in this episode, the roundtable talks about this year’s Golden Globe winners and what it means for the upcoming Oscar race.
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Diverse Awards Circuit Podcast
Variety’s “Awards Circuit” podcast, hosted by Clayton Davis, Jaz Tangkai, Emily Longeretta, Jenelle Reilly, and Michael Schneider, who also produces, is your one-stop source for lively conversations about the best in film and television. Each episode of “Awards Circuit” includes interviews with top film and TV talent and creators, discussions and debates on award races, industry headlines, and more. Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or wherever you download podcasts.