Sebastian Stan imbues ‘Thunderbolts’ with Trump-like mannerisms

Sebastian Stan’s Covfefe Controversy and Character Cross-Contamination

Sebastian Stan may have accidentally infused a bit of covfefe into his performance in the Thunderbolts*, causing some interesting character mix-ups. The actor recently shared in a British GQ interview that he transitioned from playing a young Donald Trump in Ali Abbasi’s The Apprentice to reprising his role as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in the MCU. As a result, there seems to be some minor cross-contamination between the two characters.

The Unexpected Transition

“I went off to Marvel after [The Apprentice],” Stan explained. “And we were doing scenes, and I would do something, a thing or two, and be like, ‘F—! This is still living somewhere.’” It seems that Stan’s portrayal of Trump inadvertently seeped into his performance as the Winter Soldier, creating a unique blend of characters.

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Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in ‘The Apprentice’; Bucky Barnes in ‘Thunderbolts’.

Pief Weyman; Marvel Studios

The Fusion of Characters in Thunderbolts*

Thunderbolts*, directed by Jake Schreier, brings together Stan’s Bucky Barnes with a lineup of morally ambiguous Marvel characters like Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Red Guardian (David Harbour), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Antonia Dreykov (Olga Kurylenko), and the enigmatic Bob (Lewis Pullman). This mix of characters promises an exciting and complex storyline.

Challenges and Adjustments

In order to immerse himself back into the role of Bucky Barnes, Stan had to work hard to shed some of the weight he had gained to portray Trump. However, Thunderbolts faced temporary delays due to last summer’s writers’ and actors’ strikes, causing a minor setback for Stan. Despite this, he remained determined to deliver a stellar performance. “I’m f—in’ 41,” he exclaimed. “I just worked pretty hard to get in shape here!”

Stan had previously expressed doubts about playing Trump onscreen, feeling unsure about how he would embody the character. He shared, “It’s funny, I felt similarly about a few things I’ve worked on. My initial reaction is, ‘Wow, how the hell am I going to do this?'” Even his friends and family cautioned him against taking on the role, citing concerns about safety and potential backlash. Despite the challenges, Stan embraced the opportunity to explore a different facet of his acting abilities.

Excitement for Future Projects

During his conversation with GQ, Stan expressed his enthusiasm for Robert Downey Jr.’s casting as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers films, Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars. He eagerly anticipated the possibility of sharing a scene with Downey Jr., praising his versatility as an actor. “Is there any other guy that could pull that off? I don’t know, probably not. After Tropic Thunder, is there anything that guy can’t do?” Stan mused.

The Apprentice is set to premiere in theaters on Oct. 11, while Thunderbolts* is scheduled for release on May 2, 2025.

FAQs

Q: Who is Sebastian Stan playing in Thunderbolts*?

A: Sebastian Stan reprises his role as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in Thunderbolts*, where he collides with a diverse cast of morally grey Marvel characters.

Q: What challenges did Stan face in transitioning from playing Donald Trump to Bucky Barnes?

A: Stan encountered some minor character cross-contamination between Trump and Barnes, leading to adjustments in his performance and physical appearance.

Q: When is Thunderbolts* set to be released?

A: Thunderbolts* is slated for release on May 2, 2025, offering fans a compelling narrative with a blend of intriguing characters.

Credit: ew.com