In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly, Sebastian Stan discussed his experience portraying Donald Trump in The Apprentice. He shared that people initially tried to dissuade him from taking on the role of this controversial figure.
The official synopsis of The Apprentice states that the film explores the early years of Donald Trump in 1970s New York, as he seeks to make a name for himself as the ambitious second son of a wealthy family. During this time, he falls under the influence of Roy Cohn, the ruthless attorney who played a key role in shaping the Donald Trump we recognize today.
When Stan was first offered the role, he found it hard to picture himself as a young Trump. He remarked, "It's funny, I felt that way about some other projects," and added, "My initial reaction was, 'Wow, how the hell am I going to do this?'"
The Gossip Girl actor mentioned that people advised him against accepting the role, arguing he didn't resemble Trump. He noted, "I had people tell me it wasn't safe for me to do it and that I shouldn't try to alienate half the country."
The film's writer, Gabriel Sherman, revealed that other actors had declined the role because they felt "too scared" to take on the challenge. In contrast, Stan found that fear to be "weirdly motivating."
Sebastian Stan's co-star Jeremy Strong, who plays Roy Cohn in the film, stated, "This is a movie about two human beings, not two villains or monsters. It doesn’t aim to vilify them but rather to understand their origins and how they became who they are."
Stan mentioned that the plot felt like a "love story" in some aspects, highlighting one of his favorite moments when Strong said, "I'm playing a guy named Roy, and you're playing a guy named Donald."
The actor added, "Hopefully, this movie helps people reconnect with their own humanity." The Apprentice, directed by Ali Abbasi, is set to be released in theaters on October 11, 2024.