Yahoo News Sebastian Stan Reveals What He Told Studio Executive Who Advised Against Trump Role
Sebastian Stan, who stars as a young Donald Trump in the biographical film “The Apprentice,” revealed on Thursday that an unnamed studio CEO was one of the critics who helped fuel him to take the part.
Stan, in an appearance on “The Tonight Show,” told host Jimmy Fallon that he was more energized to portray Trump after his dinner with the executive.
“He said, ‘Don’t do that, you’re going to alienate half the country, you’re Bucky Barnes,’” recalled Stan, who plays Barnes/Winter Soldier in the 2014 superhero film “Captain America: The Winter Soldier,” Stan said. “And I was like, ’I know, he’s brainwashed, too.”
Stan’s appearance on “The Tonight Show” aired on the same day that Variety released the latest lineup for its “Actors on Actors,” a popular video series that features Hollywood stars interviewing each other.
Two weeks after the election, Stan revealed that he was invited to take part in the series as other actors were “too afraid” to discuss the Ali Abbasi-directed film, which depicted Trump’s time as a real estate developer in the ’70s and ’80s as well as his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn (played by Jeremy Strong).
The president-elect, who has threatened to go after perceived enemies in his second term, slammed the film as “CLASSLESS” and criticized the “HUMAN SCUM” responsible for it in October.
His attorneys reportedly sent a cease-and-desist letter to those behind “The Apprentice” in May and Trump campaign spokesperson Steven Cheung threatened to sue over the film, as well. No lawsuit has been filed.
Variety co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh later confirmed that the publication invited Stan but other actors “didn’t want to talk about” Trump.
Hollywood’s apparent refusal to discuss Trump with Stan caught the attention of social media users on Thursday as they called out actors who eventually took part in the Variety series including Kamala Harris supporters Ariana Grande, Colman Domingo and Demi Moore.
Now reveal who was afraid to talk about The Apprentice with Sebastian Stan https://t.co/j2hPKiEhUf
— The Film Drunk (@thefilmdrunk) December 5, 2024
Taking note of the actors who did not want to do the interview with Sebastian Stan. https://t.co/ZcI51SiFc8pic.twitter.com/Fld4lHrhdh
— Karen (@BlackWidow_221B) December 5, 2024
The Actors who fear for their image more than having a REAL CONVERSATION on REAL TOPICS with Sebastian Stan .. the line up have shown their true colours. pic.twitter.com/A3lFpgvIuf
— Noor 🦋 (@NoorAlmuzaffar) December 6, 2024
Ryan Reynolds being here is the biggest sneak ever, meanwhile Sebastian Stan got shut out because everyone was too chickenshit to talk to him about how he took an actually challenging role. https://t.co/Kn1migX0TI
— Traditional Godzilla Violence (@equimanthorn_) December 5, 2024
The list of celebrities that shook in their boots when hearing the name Sebastian Stan. https://t.co/c1nZCAWHfupic.twitter.com/YYsLQr99n4
— 🎄☃️A Very Merry Frankles2001🎅🦌 (@iwantmyTVNOW) December 5, 2024
“The Apprentice” is nominated for Best Truly Indie Feature at this weekend’s Astra Film Awards while Stan’s portrayal of Trump recently earned him a Best Lead Performance nod at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
