In the upcoming months, the actor will be seen on the big screen portraying both a former president and a Marvel superhero, roles that were filmed simultaneously.
Sebastian Stan put in a lot of effort to ensure that Donald Trump did not become a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor revealed this week that he had a tough time getting rid of the habits he picked up while portraying the former president in The Apprentice he joined the cast of the MCU’s Thunderbolts.
Stan portrays Trump in Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice, scheduled to be released on October 11. The Hollywood Reporter's David Rooney praised the performance as “excellent,” noting that the actor goes “beyond imitation to capture the core” of Trump.
In Thunderbolts, slated for release in May 2025, Stan will revisit his role as Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier. In an interview with British GQ, Stan mentioned that he transitioned to Marvel after his time on The Apprentice. He recalled moments during scenes where he felt his previous work still resonating, saying, “This is still living somewhere.”
Stan also discussed his weight gain routine while working on The Apprentice, which involved consuming Coca-Colas and indulging in peanut butter and jam sandwiches. While this method helped him embody a young Donald Trump, it posed challenges when transforming back into a superhero for Thunderbolts. Additionally, filming for both movies was impacted by strikes involving writers and actors, leading Stan to fluctuate in weight due to postponed or altered filming schedules.