Just when we thought Sebastian Stan’s star couldn’t rise any higher, he landed not only the most pivotal role of his career but one of 2024’s most anticipated performances. Oscar buzz is swirling, even though the film has yet to be released.
We’re talking about “The Apprentice,” the political drama where the Marvel star takes on the role of Donald Trump, focusing on his early career and particularly his relationship with Roy Cohn, the notorious New York City prosecutor known for his work with Senator Joseph McCarthy during the Second Red Scare.
While promoting the pciture, Stan repeatedly faced the same question: how did he prepare to play one of the most polarizing figures of recent times? His answer left everyone stunned.
Sebastian Stan’s sleepless preparation for ‘The Apprentice’
With over fifty major films and TV shows under his belt, Sebastian Stan has consistently demonstrated a meticulous approach to every role. His work on “The Apprentice” was no exception, though he admitted that portraying Donald Trump presented a unique challenge.
“Well, [you] try to get sleep, which I didn’t. There’s a lot of research out there, there’s a lot of footage and documentary. It’s pretty much been very well documented, his sort of rise into what we see today. And to me, it’s like playing an instrument. You sit at the piano, you get better at it with practice, and eventually you can just kinda do it in your sleep” Stan shared on the Today show.
Stan revealed to Variety that he had saved 130 media of Trump’s mannerisms on his phone and studied 562 more from the 1970s to the present day to master the former president’s speech patterns and improvise like him. He also gained fifteen pounds for the role to fully embody the character.
Though the production hasn’t hit theaters yet, his preparation seems to have paid off. “The Apprentice” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received an 11-minute standing ovation. As mentioned earlier, Oscar buzz is already strong, with many predicting Stan will not only make the shortlist for Best Actor but could also take home the win.