Film awards: Sebastian Stan reacts to ‘brave recognition’ of Donald Trump portrayal after Oscars nomination
Sebastian Stan, a star of blockbuster cinema and talented thespian alike, has received well-deserved Oscars recognition.
Stan is in the race for the Actor in a Leading Role award at this year’s Oscars.
Film News Blitz’s David Bason reports on Stan’s reaction to his Oscar-nominated portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice.
Stan stars in The Apprentice
Stan is well known in mainstream cinema circles for his performances as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
2024, however, was Stan’s time to shine in two challenging pieces of cinema.
As Edward, Stan starred in A Different Man, a surreal dramedy that shines a light on the struggles faced by people with visible differences.
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Then, in The Apprentice, Stan stars as Donald Trump, the current President, but in his younger years.
The synopsis reads that this film’s Trump, “eager to make his name as the hungry second son of a wealthy family in 1970s New York, comes under the spell of cutthroat lawyer Roy Cohn.
“Cohn sees in Trump the perfect protege: someone with raw ambition, a hunger for success, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to win.”
The rocky road to Stan’s Oscars nomination
The Hollywood Reporter recounts The Apprentice’s difficult road to theatres.
The Apprentice including a scene where a young Donald sexually assaults then-wife Ivana Trump resulted in a cease and desist letter threatening to sue the producers.
Moreover, the film’s main financial backer, Kinematics, was headed by the son of a Trump supporter.
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Despite a rapturous reception at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, The Apprentice got stuck as no U.S. distributor or streamer would get behind the project until Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in.
However, there was a court battle between Briarcliff Entertainment and Kinematics over the approval of distribution before executive producer James Shani bought out the latter’s stake in the film.
Thankfully, Stan and his creative collaborators were able to see their work come to cinemas and now that is being celebrated.
Stan ‘stunned’ by ‘surreal Oscars news
"I can’t believe I'm in Romania while receiving this news,” Stan said (via Entertainment Weekly), reacting to his nomination.
“It's surreal. I'm stunned. I’m speechless. I’m humbled.
“I guess this is what they mean by the American Dream.
“I'm so grateful to everyone who made the impossible, possible.
“Thank you to the Academy for this brave recognition."
Stan’s The Apprentice co-star Jeremy Strong also nominated
Stan’s co-star Jeremy Strong was nominated in the Supporting Actor category for his role as Roy Cohn.
Fresh from his major role in the smash television hit Succession, renowned method actor Strong’s momentum shows no signs of slowing following his Oscars nomination.
Not only did Strong react to his nomination on a personal level, but he recognised the significance of celebrating The Apprentice.
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“This morning’s nomination is indescribably meaningful to me,” Strong began.
“This film has been an uphill battle every step of the way and faced inestimable resistance on every front.
“It feels absolutely miraculous to me that both Sebastian [Stan] and I were recognised.
“Roy Cohn’s long, dark shadow was hanging over the Capitol Rotunda on Monday and his legacy of aggression, misinformation and untruth is now a Kingdom Come.
“This is a harrowing and courageous film that explores how we got to where we are today and was the role of a lifetime.
“Today’s nomination is, without overstatement, a realisation of a lifelong dream. I remember spending the night on cold metal bleachers outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in 1993 with my father to watch the actors and actresses arrive at the 65th Academy Awards.
“I remember being unable to sleep because of how exciting it was to be close to that world.
“I have not lost that feeling of excitement; I feel it every time I go to set or drive onto a lot or begin rehearsals. I have devoted my life to the attempt to do genuine work that would be worthy of this honour.
“I am filled with amazement and flooded with emotion and with deep gratitude to my peers in the Academy.”
Given that Hollywood and Trump aren’t the most comfortable of bedfellows, it’s no wonder The Apprentice is receiving Oscars attention but that by no means should take away from the extraordinary acting achievements of Stan and Strong.
Yes, these nominations are for single performances by Stan and Strong, but they should serve as a celebration for both of their incredible acting careers to date.
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