Sebastian Stan has received his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor at the upcoming Academy Awards, following his transformative role as a young Donald Trump in *The Apprentice*. The film, which explores themes of power and identity, faced controversy prior to release, but has resonated with audiences, earning $4 million domestically. As the ceremony approaches, Stan shares the spotlight with Jeremy Strong, nominated for his portrayal of Roy Cohn, Trump’s mentor.
Sebastian Stan’s Oscar Nomination: A Career Milestone
Last Thursday, January 23, brought an exciting announcement that caught many by surprise—including Sebastian Stan himself. This talented actor, known for his role in *Gossip Girl* and his appearances in Marvel films, has received his first Oscar nomination. At 42 years old, Stan is now vying for the prestigious Best Actor award at the 97th Academy Awards, set to take place on March 2.
The Impact of *The Apprentice*
Stan’s nomination stems from his compelling performance in *The Apprentice*, a film that has sparked considerable conversation in recent months. In a striking transformation, he embodies a young Donald Trump during the billionaire’s early attempts to assert himself in New York’s power landscape, complete with a unique hairstyle and a noticeable weight gain. Stan’s portrayal is both captivating and thought-provoking. He shared his insights at the Cannes Film Festival, where the film competed for the coveted Palme d’Or, stating, *“I grew up in Romania where my father trafficked jeans and cigarettes, and when I arrived in the United States, I immediately grasped the message of the American Dream.”*
Stan further elaborated on the film’s themes, asking, *“Did Trump lose his humanity along the way? Does he still have anything to do with it?”* According to Danish-Iranian director Ali Abbasi, the film transcends a mere biopic. He explained, *“It’s much more than that. My goal was to depict a power system. I also believe it’s important to clarify that our film stops before his political career. It’s almost a different person than the one we know.”*
Even before hitting theaters in the fall, *The Apprentice* faced opposition from Donald Trump’s camp, who sought to block its release. Trump denounced the film as *“a fake and classless film”* and labeled it as *“trash”* penned by *“a human scum,”* referring to journalist Gabriel Sherman. Despite his hopes for the film’s failure at the box office, *The Apprentice* managed to draw in $4 million domestically, contrasting with its $13 million earnings globally, where audiences were more receptive.
Moreover, the film’s impact extended beyond box office numbers, as Hollywood initially hesitated to support Stan amid fears of backlash for discussing Trump’s portrayal. *“What Sebastian said is true. We invited him to participate in Actors on Actors, but other actors did not want to team up with him because they did not want to talk about Donald Trump,”* confirmed the editor-in-chief of *Variety* to *People*.
As the Oscar night approaches, Stan won’t be alone in the spotlight. Jeremy Strong, who delivers a powerful performance as Roy Cohn—Trump’s mentor—has also received a nomination for Best Supporting Actor. With Trump having been re-elected and inaugurated, the potential for Hollywood to leverage the anonymous voting process to award Stan the Oscar while sending a message to Trump remains a tantalizing possibility.