Sebastian Stan has opened up about the intense pressure he faced during the filming of his provocative role in The Apprentice. Renowned for his portrayal of Bucky Barnes, a.k.a. the Winter Soldier, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), the Romanian-American actor has made a name for himself since debuting in the franchise with Captain America: The First Avenger in 2011. His journey within the MCU has recently culminated in his performance in the Disney+ miniseries The Falcon and the Winter Soldier in 2021, and he is set to return for the highly anticipated Thunderbolts movie, slated for release in May 2025.
Beyond his superhero persona, Stan is taking on more diverse and audacious characters. In 2022, he exhibited a chilling charisma as a cannibal in the film Fresh, and his portrayal of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee in the Hulu miniseries Pam & Tommy garnered him an Emmy nomination. In the upcoming year, he will feature in A24’s A Different Man, playing a character with a severe facial disfigurement, alongside taking on the role of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, both of which have earned him nominations for Golden Globe Awards.
Stan’s Panic Attacks During The Apprentice Preparation
The Film’s Controversial Background
Stan’s memories of preparing for The Apprentice reveal the high level of anxiety he experienced, particularly given that the role was steeped in controversy. As he takes center stage portraying Donald Trump alongside the talents of Jeremy Strong, Martin Donovan, and Maria Bakalova, the actor reflected on the challenges he faced.
In a recent discussion during The Hollywood Reporter‘s annual Actor Roundtable, Stan candidly shared his struggles with panic attacks. He noted, “there was not enough time to gain weight, and the prosthetics test failed badly.”Furthermore, he revealed an unexpected twist in casting choices, as director Ali Abbasi mentioned he had initially considered casting a woman in the role of Trump just two weeks before filming commenced.
I was having panic attacks every night. There was not enough time to gain weight, and the prosthetics test failed badly, so I was fucked. And not only that, but the director, two weeks out, goes, “Originally, I was going to cast a woman to play Trump.” . .. Why are you fucking telling me this two weeks before?! I’m going to die.
Implications of Stan’s Remarks on The Apprentice
Further Production Challenges
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tXEN0WNJUg
The film’s portrayal of Donald Trump invited scrutiny and backlash, leading to several controversies. Producer Dan Snyder distanced himself from the project, and Trump’s legal team attempted to impede its release. This tumult resulted in difficulties securing an American distributor, and despite a limited release through Briarcliff Entertainment, the film disappointingly grossed only $12 million against a $16 million budget.
In his recounting, Stan highlights even more complications behind the scenes related to the film’s tight shooting schedule and issues with the prosthetics. Nevertheless, his performance as Trump has been described as surprisingly humanizing, offering a nuanced look at the former president that deviates from a straightforward satirical approach. The idea of casting a woman, as Stan pointed out, may have led to a performance that resembled a comedic skit rather than a serious portrayal.
For more insights on this project, visit THR.