How Sebastian Stan Went From Marvel Hunk to Donald Trump in The Apprentice

How Sebastian Stan Went From Marvel Hunk to Donald Trump in The Apprentice

As a film enthusiast with a penchant for historical dramas and a keen eye for authentic performances, I must say that Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Donald Trump in “The Apprentice” is nothing short of impressive. Having grown up in the ’80s and ’90s, I have a vivid memory of Trump’s rise to fame in New York City, and Stan’s dedication to the role truly resonates with me.


In the fresh flick titled “The Apprentice“, actor Sebastian Stan metamorphoses from the muscular Marvel character into Donald Trump, a former real estate tycoon-turned president. The film delves into the formative years of the contentious felon, with a focus on the ’70s and ’80s, when he ascended the corporate ladder to become one of New York City’s most notorious business figures. In an extensive conversation with Variety, Stan reveals that the role required considerable preparation, to the extent that at one point, he had over 600 videos of Trump on his mobile device.

On my mobile device, I stored a collection of 130 videos showcasing his physique, along with 562 videos accompanied by photos spanning from the ’70s up until now. This extensive archive allowed me to analyze and mimic his speech patterns by studying his improvisational style.

Trump often strays from his prepared remarks during his numerous rallies, launching into lengthy soliloquies about fictional murderers and debunked ideas like magnets not functioning underwater. These spontaneous moments, as Stan pointed out, added an extra layer of difficulty to the role because he never knew what unexpected directions director Ali Abbasi might take.

During the second attempt, Ali might interject with a question like, ‘Could you discuss taxes and your reluctance to pay them?’ This prompted me to find out about their chosen charities from 1983. Each evening, I’d return home not just to prepare for the following day, but also to anticipate where Ali was steering this conversation.

How Sebastian Stan Didn’t Turn His Interpretation of Trump Into a Parody

In a movie portraying a real-life historical figure who’s still alive, an actor should avoid exaggerating their character too much to prevent it from turning into caricature or satire. Examples of this can be seen in the skits on Saturday Night Live and various comedians like Phil Hartman, Alec Baldwin, and James Austin Johnson who have mimicked Trump in a humorous manner.

According to Abbasi, Stan’s ability to convincingly portray Trump was largely due to his extensive research and unwavering commitment to the project. This enabled him to strike a suitable balance and anchor his performance in authenticity.

If Sebastian increased his performance by 10%, it would be akin to Saturday Night Live. Conversely, if he reduced it by 10%, he’s falling short of the mark. However, what makes Sebastian unique is his strong inspiration from real-life experiences and thorough research. This approach mirrors my own; in order to venture into unusual territories, it’s crucial to have a solid understanding of the reality as the foundation.

It appears that Stan’s hard work has been worth it, as initial reactions to the movie have been favorable towards the actor. Many critics have commended his skill in mimicking Trump’s speech patterns and behaviors. You can witness these results yourself when The Apprentice hits theaters nationwide on October 11, distributed by Briarcliff Entertainment.

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2024-09-20 02:03