Vogue France – From Gossip Girl to Marvel Studios, to more independent productions: Sebastian Stan’s career has been a roller coaster ride. During his visit to the Deauville American Film Festival, Vogue put the actor, who at 42 years old won a Revelation Award.
On October 9, Sebastian Stan be will Donald Trump in The Apprentice . Some know him for his role as Carter Baizen in Gossip Girl . Others, for that of the Winter Soldier in Marvel productions. But recently, the American actor, of Romanian origin, has ventured into more independent fiction, which sheds a new light on his career. At the Deauville American Film Festival , he came to present A Different Man by Aaron Schimberg , in which he plays Edward, a young disabled actor decides who to change his appearance to, he believes at the time, improve his life. On the contrary, this transformation marks the beginning of his fall. An antagonistic role such as he has long played on our screens, and which he continues in The Apprentice , presented in May 2024 at the Cannes Film Festival , and directed by filmmaker Ali Abbasi . So many elements that made us want to talk with the 42-year-old actor during his visit to Normandy , where he was awarded the Revelation Prize. As proof of the new direction taken in his career, today considered by the proponents of European cinema, possibly, let’s confess, more snobbish than their American compatriots.
Vogue. Gossip Girl , Blood Pact , The Apprentice or even Captain America: The Winter Soldier … Your filmography is full of antagonists
Sebastian Stan: A lot of things came to me, other roles, I pursued them. What I am certain of is that I never wanted just one type of role. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I refuse the more traditional hero roles, which I also find very interesting, even difficult in some ways. But it’s true, I’ve always been curious about the idea of playing complex characters, full of flaws. Sometimes, they are the antagonists. It’s not very good. What interests me in human nature is the duality. We can be extremely good to each, other as we can become horribly evil. Life is more complex than that, there are not good guys on one side, and bad guys on the other. Each of us is capable of the best as well as the worst. The antagonists, in my films, offered a great potential for that acting I enjoyed exploring.
Even Edward, your character in A Different Man , seems consumed by envy.
Probably the most complicated character I’ve ever played. But he’s still so realistic in so many ways. I was just talking about this: I hope a lot of people get a chance to see this movie it becomes really about acceptance and truth. Someone asked me what I think are the most important human characteristics. I said: values, the relationship we have with ourselves, and how we treat others. When I look younger at generations growing up today, especially with social media, people are almost forced to be followers. Fewer and people are brave enough to express their voices in a single way to fight against conformity. When you look at a character like Edward, you understand that better. We’ve all lied to ourselves at some point in our lives. We’ve all wanted things we couldn’t have. We’ve all envied the person next to us. I wouldn’t go so far as to say that this film is a fable, but it has this ability to make us look inside ourselves, and ask ourselves: “What makes me different?” Rather than trying to be things that we are not.
For the first time, with A Different Man , you are putting on the producer’s shoes. Why?
I found myself much more invested in the film. It was a very unique experience, that I had anticipated not, I must admit. When I met Aaron Schimberg , the director, at the very beginning of the process, we formed a great connection, and we tried to sell the film together here and there. He welcomed me with open arms in this collaboration, included me in all the conversations about the feasibility of the project. For example, I was the one who suggested that he watched the film Julie (in 12 chapters) because I think Renate Reinsve is incredible in it. I was even able to help with the prosthetics that are used in the film, as well as on the shooting. Let’s honest: it was a complicated shoot, to do in a very short time. Only about twenty days. As actor, I worked hard, I didn’t count my hours. As a producer, I helped Aaron Schimberg make the film as he had in mind. I learned a lot from A Different Man , that’s for sure.
Does this you’re going to try it again?
Oh yes. There are several projects that I have my eye on at the moment… But it’s very difficult to make films, which you probably know here in France. A film like A Different Man , honestly, if A24 studios hadn’t intervened, I’m not sure we would have managed to make it. The United States is not like France or the rest of Europe: there is not the same support allocated to the film industry from institutions. There are no dedicated funds, it’s up to you to manage on your own. When you fight for a film, in addition to playing in it as an actor, it’s both exhausting, but terribly rewarding.
It’s a role for which you were awarded a prize at the Berlinale , and tonight, you’re going to receive a Revelation Award here in Deauville . At 42 That’s joyful.
I know. I’m a 42-year-old emerging actor, I should say that in my speech… The thing with this industry is that you’re constantly growing. It’s true, I’m 42, but for the first time, I feel like I’m learning very important things, that I wish had known much. It was a strange year for me, between the Berlinale , the Cannes Film Festival , Deauville … … For my two movies, The Apprentice and and A Different Man , I felt real support from the European festivals, very prestigious ones at that. It was very special for me who had never experienced that before. And then I have immense respect for European cinema, which for me is synonymous with real work and authenticity. Here, if people don’t like the movies, they’re not afraid to say so. So that my films have been so received here, means a lot.
You are European yourself, you grew up between Austria and Romania…
That’s right. I lived in Romania for the first eight years of my life, and then in Vienna for four years. Coming to the United States in the mid-1990s was a turning point in my life. There, I had opportunities that I would never have had in Romania. That’s why I’m so interested in the idea of the American dream, which is reflected in many of my films. A Different Man and and The Apprentice many explore it, in their own way. I think the central question of both those of those works is: “When is enough? How far can we go to get what we want? Why do we always want to win?” Coming from Europe, where the philosophy is almost the opposite of that, helped me in many ways. I don’t know if I would have approached my roles in the same way.
In A Different Man , you don’t speak much, but the physicality of the role is evident. How did you work on it?
Luckily, I was there from the beginning of the shoot. Our makeup artist, Michael Marino , who was working multiple shoots at the same time, would put the prosthetics on me early in the morning. So I had this time before the shoot where I would walk around the streets of New York with this face that is not mine, and see the reactions of the people around me. It was scary, and enriched in many ways. It helped me understand what it meant to live in the shoes of a man like Adam Pearson , because I wouldn’t have been able to realize it otherwise. Adam was very honest with me and talked to me a lot about his experiences, which helped me a lot. And then as an actor, I myself live this strange phenomenon of being recognized on the street every day. I don’t have a private life. I sometimes feel like I’m kind of public property: people can film me and do pretty much whatever they want.
Let’s talk a little bit about the Donald Trump you play on The Apprentice . How does one prepare for such a role?
Playing a real person has its pros and cons. The advantage, with people as famous as him, is the amount of archives available. Videos, articles, documentaries… you have plenty to study the character But there is a problem: you have to find a place to insert yourself, as an actor. A real challenge, which is like to welcome without really knowing if I will succeed. That is part of the problem that faces me. But that is just the reason that makes me want to take on this kind of challenge. Telling myself that I can’t do something only redoubles my desire to succeed. When you play a completely fictional character like Edward, it is up to you to build his story. How did he get there? That is what I am constantly looking for.