Sebastian Stan’s Career Renaissance: From Captain America to Trump

For years, Sebastian Stan seemed content with his dual role within Hollywood—embodying both the supporting characters and the iconic action hero Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, his recent performances in “A Different Man” and “The Apprentice” have redefined his career trajectory.

The Duality of Hollywood Stardom

Stan, known for his roles as ex-husbands in “I, Tonya” and “Pam & Tommy,” has balanced supporting roles with his superhero status since 2011. Yet, his striking good looks can sometimes work against him, as Jessica Chastain, his friend and castmate in “The Martian” and “The 355,” noted. “There’s a group of actors—Colin Farrell is in this group too—that are so handsome it works against them,” she commented.

New Challenges, New Heights

This year, Stan’s performances in two unconventional movies set the stage for a career renaissance. In the surreal comedy “A Different Man,” Stan’s portrayal of a character undergoing a medical transformation to resemble him earned him accolades, including a Silver Bear for leading performance at the Berlin International Film Festival and a Golden Globe for acting in a comedy or musical.

His role in “The Apprentice” was even more challenging, requiring extensive makeup to transform him into a younger, morally dubious Donald J. Trump. Despite initial controversy and distribution struggles, the film earned Stan an Oscar nomination, placing him among elite contenders in a competitive field.

The Art of Transformation

Stan’s preparation for playing early-life Trump involved extensive research, watching numerous TV interviews on his iPad and internalizing Trump’s mannerisms and speech patterns. He described Trump as a character built from “rage and years of suppression” and highlighted the film’s depiction of Trump’s opportunistic evolution as one of the movie’s most challenging aspects.

“A well-crafted character built from rage and years of suppression,” Stan explained. “It really shows the opportunistic evolution of this person.”

Hollywood’s Response

The film’s premise faced significant backlash; Trump himself threatened to sue over what he called “pure fiction” and defamatory. Major studios initially passed on the project, further complicating its distribution. However, a supportive arts community acknowledged the film’s worth, resulted in an Oscar nomination for Stan.

Jeremy Strong, Stan’s co-star and fellow nominee, expressed disappointment over Hollywood’s initial reluctance. “I found it distressing that the business of Hollywood didn’t have the courage to support this movie,” he stated. “And I found it incredibly heartening that the community of artists and the creatives in Hollywood have acknowledged it with Oscar nominations.”

Connecting with Complexity

In preparing for his role, Stan found common ground, likening Trump’s relentless pursuit of power to his own experiences. He grew up in an environment where he felt “very powerless over my life.” This shared sentiment allowed Stan to delve deeper into understanding Trump’s motivations, highlighting the film’s exploration of power dynamics and American dreams.

Ali Abbasi, the director of “The Apprentice,” recognized the relatability of Stan’s background, noting a connection between Stan’s experience and the character’s immigrant-like roots in America.

The Future of Sebastian Stan

Stan’s upcoming release, “Thunderbolts,” adds another chapter to his career. With nominations for his performances in “The Apprentice” and “A Different Man,” Stan is poised to cement his status as a versatile and respected actor beyond his role as Bucky Barnes.

“There’s always something new to discover about characters,” Stan said. “Even the most familiar ones.”

Conclusion

Sebastian Stan’s journey demonstrates the power of character and the willingness to explore complex, controversial roles. His performances in “A Different Man” and “The Apprentice” have earned him critical acclaim and a place among the year’s top acting nominees. As he continues to take risks and challenge societal norms, Stan’s career promises to be both exciting and transformative.