In the upcoming movie The Apprentice, Sebastian Stan undergoes a dramatic transformation from a Marvel heartthrob to a conservative Donald Trump. The film dives into the early years of the controversial figure, focusing on Trump’s rise through the ranks of New York City’s business world during the ’70s and ’80s. This was long before he became one of the most infamous men in the country. In an interview with Variety, Stan shared just how much preparation the role required—at one point, he had over 600 videos of Trump saved on his phone. This was in preparation so he could study Trump’s speech patterns and try to improvise like him. It was a demanding task. 

Trump is famous for going off-script during his rallies and rambling about unimportant things. This is what Stan found challenging to mimic, especially since he never knew what director Ali Abbasi would throw his way. 

When playing a real-life figure in a drama, especially someone like Trump, it’s easy to transform the acting into a parody. We have seen many comedians nail the impersonation on Saturday Night Live, from Alec Baldwin to Phil Hartman and James Austin Johnson. Social media, especially TikTok, is also filled with Trump impersonations from people around the world. But in The Apprentice, Stan must walk the line of keeping his portrayal as authentic as possible. Abbasi’s direction and Stan’s dedication will be crucial in finding this balance.

It seems like Stan’s hard work is already paying off. Early reviews are praising his ability to capture Trump’s voice and mannerisms without turning him into a caricature. The Apprentice hits theaters on October 11, courtesy of Briarcliff Entertainment. It’s going to be fascinating to see how Stan brings Trump to life on the big screen.