Okay movie fans you have to hear about this. Sebastian Stan known to many as the Winter Soldier in Marvel movies just took on a role that is seriously turning heads: Donald Trump. He stars as a young Donald Trump in the movie 'The Apprentice' and it is sparking major buzz controversy and even an Oscar nomination.
'The Apprentice' Movie: Oscar Nominated But Also Enraging Donald Trump Himself
Let's get right to it 'The Apprentice' is controversial. The movie explores Donald Trump's rise in the cutthroat world of 1980s New York real estate and his relationship with his mentor Roy Cohn played by Jeremy Strong. It premiered at Cannes Film Festival got critical acclaim and even earned Sebastian Stan an Oscar nomination for Best Actor and Jeremy Strong a nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
But here's the kicker Donald Trump is reportedly not happy. Like at all. His lawyers apparently threatened to sue the filmmakers. What is causing all the fuss? Well the movie does not shy away from showing a less-than-flattering side of young Trump. One scene in particular depicting Trump raping his then-wife Ivana Trump is extremely contentious. Despite the controversy 'The Apprentice' did get a theatrical release and those Oscar nominations showing it's definitely a film people are talking about even if it makes some folks uncomfortable.
Oscar Night Snub? Sebastian Stan Doesn't Take Home Best Actor But the Nomination Was a Win
So the big night came the 97th Academy Awards and sadly Sebastian Stan did not win the Best Actor Oscar for his portrayal of Trump. Adrien Brody took home the award for The Brutalist. Jeremy Strong also lost in the Best Supporting Actor category to Kieran Culkin.
Even though they did not win just getting nominated for a role this complex and controversial is a huge achievement. Sebastian Stan himself said his goal was to make people ask "can you trust this person?" when watching his portrayal of Trump. He wanted to bring a fresh perspective to the story and judging by the reactions he definitely succeeded. And hey a nomination is something to be seriously proud of.
Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn: Masterful Portrayal of Trump's Ruthless Mentor
Let's give credit where credit is due Jeremy Strong's performance as Roy Cohn is also getting a lot of praise. He was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for playing the notorious lawyer who mentored young Trump. Strong known for his intense method acting really went deep into the role of Cohn. The movie shows how Cohn taught Trump his now-famous three principles: "always attack deny everything and never admit defeat." These principles really shaped Trump's approach to business and politics and the film explores that connection in detail.
Interestingly Kieran Culkin who won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain actually gave a shout-out to Jeremy Strong during his acceptance speech. Culkin and Strong famously worked together on Succession so it was a cool moment of support between former castmates.
Sebastian Stan's Transformation: Finding the Real Trump Beyond Caricature
Sebastian Stan faced a big challenge in playing Donald Trump. Trump is such a public figure and many impersonations already exist. Stan wanted to go beyond just mimicking Trump's mannerisms. He really wanted to understand the person behind the persona especially the younger Trump in the 1980s.
Stan has said he "had to turn off all the noise and just lock myself in a room and just try to understand who this person really was." He studied footage of Trump from the 70s and 80s noticing "very interesting characteristics" and "an idealism" that may be surprising to some. He focused on Trump's gestures his voice inflections and tried to make the portrayal as realistic as possible. It was about grounding the character in reality not just doing an impersonation.
He even admitted it was a bit of a journey "exposing yourself" to Trump during his research to truly understand him. This deep dive approach is what likely made his performance so impactful and earned him that Oscar nod.
Sebastian Stan's Oscars Date: A Special Moment with Mom
On a heartwarming note Sebastian Stan brought a very special guest to the Oscars his mother Georgeta Orlovschi. He told the Associated Press he "had to" bring her because they had visited the Dolby Theater on a tour bus when he was a kid before they moved to America. He wanted to share this full circle moment with her saying "I owe her everything. And it'll be memorable forever.”
It's a really sweet story and shows how much his mother's support means to him. He even thanked his parents in his Golden Globes acceptance speech earlier this year. It's clear family is important to Sebastian and bringing his mom to the Oscars was a beautiful way to celebrate his achievement.
Key Aspects of Sebastian Stan's Portrayal of Donald Trump in 'The Apprentice':
- Oscar-Nominated Performance: Stan received a Best Actor Oscar nomination for his role.
- Realistic Approach: He aimed for realism not caricature studying early Trump footage.
- Controversial Role: The portrayal and film itself are highly controversial drawing backlash.
- Focus on Younger Trump: The film depicts Trump's rise in the 1980s and mentorship by Roy Cohn.
- Emotional Depth: Stan explored Trump's insecurities and motivations behind his public persona.
'The Apprentice': A Must-See Controversial Film and a Career High for Sebastian Stan
Whether you agree with the politics or not 'The Apprentice' is undeniably a film that is making people think and talk. Sebastian Stan's performance as Donald Trump is a key reason why. He took on a challenging role stepped outside his comfort zone and delivered a portrayal that is both fascinating and disturbing. The Oscar nomination is a recognition of that hard work and talent. If you are interested in biopics political dramas or just seeing Sebastian Stan in a totally different light 'The Apprentice' is definitely one to check out and discuss.