Sebastian Stan has proven, time and time again, that he knows how to immaculately deliver what he signs up for, irrespective of the character (or even person) that he has to play. His perfect portrayal of Bucky aka the Winter Soldier in the MCU is the true evidence of this claim, among others. That being said, his next film sees him effortlessly slip into a different avatar as well.
As most die-hard fans must already know, one of Stan’s next performances would see him embodying the former president of the United States, Donald Trump. Yet, even though his first look in character makes him look like a scarily accurate version of Trump, fans can’t help but point out that it is not as accurate as all of his previous masterpiece portrayals.
Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump is Close but Not Quite
After multiple mind-blowing characterizations in numerous other roles, Stan is now all set to dominate the screens through his portrayal of the ex-president of the United States of America, Donald Trump, in his next upcoming project, The Apprentice.
Directed by Ali Abbasi, the biographical drama movie would see Stan’s Trump in the early phases of his career (in the 1970s and 80s) as a real estate businessman in New York. And The Falcon and the Winter Soldier star’s first look in character has left many stunned.
As can be seen in the photo shared by @CultureCrave on X, the 41-year-old actor as a younger version of Trump truly looks scarily accurate. Styling a hairstyle and hair color almost similar to what the real Trump sported in the early stages of his career, Stan seems to be nailing it.
First look at Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in #TheApprentice pic.twitter.com/6CN4MbDHk7
— Culture Crave 🍿 (@CultureCrave) April 11, 2024
However, even with the similarities, there are a lot of differences, as many fans are pointing out (more on this later). Plus, comparing this in-character look of his with his previous embodiments of other people and characters, this depiction of his has inevitably somewhat fallen short.
For instance, the Gossip Girl actor’s iconic transformation into the renowned musician Tommy Lee in the Emmy-nominated series from 2022, Pam & Tommy, was so incredibly similar that it became more or less hard to set the two apart!
If that wasn’t enough, Stan has further been linked to Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars saga through a fan-casting as well. In fact, some fans even claimed they thought he was Luke while looking at his first look as Trump!
Thus, putting all of these under scrutiny, the Once Upon a Time star could, in fact, do even better with his look as the former President of the United States of America. At least that’s what most fans are expecting from him.
Fans React to Sebastian Stan’s First Look as Donald Trump
While one part of fans is still admiring and commending him in the role as he is, the other part feels Stan could have actually taken it to a whole other level with his transformation of Trump, where comparison between the two would’ve been pretty much impossible.
Meanwhile, some other fans are pointing out that The Winter Soldier star‘s persona and aura just don’t seem to be hitting the mark like Trump’s does. All in all, here’s how they’re reacting to his first look in the respective role on X:
looks more like an older retired sebastian out of his prime than trump.
— Eddie (@OHMYDIAZ) April 11, 2024
Nah, he isn't orange enough 😭
— x (@nyon1599) April 11, 2024
Does he look like him? I'm not sure. pic.twitter.com/DQcA8kOfLe
— Say My Name (@Name__Error_404) April 11, 2024
Meh, kinda looks like him. pic.twitter.com/cc6B0ZIfdo
— H▲UNTER (@HAUNTERTHEPRO) April 11, 2024
Looks like Maxwell Lord from ‘WW84.’ pic.twitter.com/y7chpgwgdK
— Daniel Mak, BASc, PN2-MC, NC (@daniel_mak) April 11, 2024
change cast asap. it don’t even look like him
looks like clark kent
— Damilareヅ (@__damilar3) April 11, 2024
Not as close as him
— Blah Blah Blah (@BlahBlahBllaahh) April 11, 2024
Nah..he ain't giving that aura like trump does
— Armstrong_loves_anime (@godsent_weeb) April 11, 2024
Well, if we’re truly honest, it would be unfair to say that these critiques are wrong. Even though Stan’s embodiment comes fairly close to the person is playing, it isn’t quite sitting well, and there is considerable space for improvement.
At the same time, it’s worth noting that Sebastian Stan has nailed almost all of his performances before, and he just might end up doing the same with this one as well. Who knows, what he brings to the table might even end up granting him a nomination for a major award!
The Apprentice is set to have its world premiere at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.
