Inside the mind of Sebastian Stan: Transforming into Trump and evolving as Bucky Barnes
Understanding the challenge: Becoming Donald Trump
Sebastian Stan recently revealed his struggle to physically resemble Donald Trump for his role in The Apprentice. “Everyone said, ‘You don’t look like him.’ You’ve already seen so much of him, so I thought it would be better to go with the ‘less is more’ approach. But we still needed to find the right hair and makeup team,” he explained at a film festival.
His concern was valid. The initial prosthetic tests didn’t meet expectations. “I was very worried about that – we all were. Fortunately, I called the team that helped me with [portraying] Tommy Lee on [Pam & Tommy]. We found the right balance,” he shared.
The film has been the center of controversy, especially after its Cannes premiere, due to a scene depicting Trump sexually assaulting his then-wife, Ivana. This particular sequence has sparked significant debate among critics and audiences alike.
Navigating sensitive scenes
“You have to look at your feelings towards something you’re about to do,” Stan noted. “Be diligent, strict, and honest with yourself. Decide which emotions will help you and which won’t. You have to discard the latter to serve the story.”
Director Ali Abbasi’s approach to the controversial scene was unapologetic. “You can’t ignore Ivana’s divorce deposition, where she went on record to describe the assault graphically and then retracted it. Screenwriters had to decide what was closer to the truth. Speaking under oath usually is,” said Stan.
For Stan, the challenge lay in portraying Trump authentically without letting personal biases interfere. “I had very strong feelings about it. I did this game with myself, crossing out the character names to see the story clearer. It’s about someone who changed drastically.”
The pursuit of the American Dream
Delving deeper into the theme, Stan described how the movie explores the obsession with the American Dream and the hero complex. “It’s about being the best at everything,” he said. Abbasi’s non-American perspective brought valuable insights to the project.
Bonding and banter on set
Stan recounted his time working with Jeremy Strong, who plays attorney Roy Cohn. “Roy Cohn was the devil. A lot of people say that,” he noted with a grin. The dedication Strong brought to the role was clear from their first meeting.
“I’ve always admired Jeremy because he genuinely cares about his work. We met a month and a half before shooting. I was gaining weight, and he was losing it. During one of our meetings, he asked if I wanted a burger with fries while he ordered a cocktail. He said, ‘Yeah, but he drinks with me in the movie,’” Stan laughed.
According to Stan, their on-set relationship mirrored their characters’. “I didn’t see Jeremy out of character. It helped us immerse into our roles.”
Tackling real-life personas
Playing a figure like Trump posed unique challenges. “Portraying someone so polarizing involves a technical process similar to learning a musical instrument. It’s slow, tiresome, and annoying, but gets faster with practice. You know the goal, you just have to get there,” Stan explained.
Reflecting on the creative demands of The Apprentice, Stan emphasized the importance of balancing accuracy with performance.
Embracing the Marvel universe
Transitioning from Trump to Bucky Barnes, Stan shared insights into his iconic role in the Marvel universe. “Action movies are really tough. They don’t get enough recognition. Tom Cruise isn’t a normal person. It’s surreal to play the same character for 15 years. Bucky evolves as I do in life.”
Stan is always eager when Marvel calls. “It’s like Christmas morning. Marvel lets us explore Bucky’s complexities. He’s not just morally invincible; he’s dealing with past actions. That’s relatable for all of us.”
From Romania to Hollywood
Stan’s journey from Romania and Austria to Hollywood is inspiring. “I always did impressions as a kid, so my mom thought I should try acting,” he recalled. A basement full of VHS tapes and an acting camp in the U.S. altered his path, leading to collaborations with renowned directors.
Building a successful career
Achieving success in Hollywood, Stan has been assertive about his career ambitions. “I’ve been aggressive. I’m okay with saying, ‘I would really like to work with you.’ Sometimes it’s necessary,” he laughed.
Recent roles and lasting impressions
Stan’s performance in “A Different Man” earned him accolades at Berlinale. Reflecting on his career, he laughed about being recognized on the street for his role in “Gossip Girl”. “Sometimes, people whisper ‘Carter Baizen’ when they see me. It feels like ‘Fight Club’.”
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