The director of Sebastian StanThe controversial 2024 biopic takes on the film that didn't perform well at the box office. Stan appeared in the 2008 Anne Hathaway film Rachel is getting married and the 2010 Natalie Portman film Black Swanbut it was in 2011 Captain America: The First Avenger This proved to be his standout performance. James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes became one of the most important characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, who would go on to star in many future MCU projects, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame.
Stan has also had a lot of success outside of the MCU. He played the fan favorite Once upon a time character Jefferson/the Mad Hatter in seasons 1 and 2 of the ABC fantasy series. I, TonyaConsidered one of Sebastian Stan's best films, it earned him much praise. Your career received additional recognition, including Emmy and Golden Globe nominationsfor his portrayal of Tommy Lee in the 2022 Hulu series Pam and Tommy.
Sebastian Stan's 2024 film The Apprentice was a box office bomb
Expected to be better in the US
The Apprenticestarring Sebastian Stan, it received an 83% critic score and an 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite positive reception from critics and audiences, and the timely release just one month before the 2024 United States presidential election, Donald Trump biopic grossed just $12 million at the worldwide box office. In addition to Stan playing Trump, The ApprenticeThe cast includes SuccessionJeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump and Martin Donovan as Fred Trump.
When speaking with The playlist, The Apprenticedirector Ali Abbasi openly explained that he doesn't understand why the film didn't perform betterparticularly in the United States. In addition to the box office numbers, he addresses his perplexity at the film being considered controversial. He addresses how the film's subject matter is already much more controversial than the film he directed. Check out Abbasi's comments below:
I am disappointed and shocked by the reception of “The Apprentice” in the US. What really shocks me is that the film is being considered controversial. I've said this many times, I still don't understand. I mean, you're dealing with someone who's like the encyclopedia entry of the World Controversial, Donald Trump. I don't know what's controversial about the film.
Our Take on Why The Apprentice Didn't Perform Better at the Box Office
External factors negatively affected the film
The Apprenticepositive reviews were not enough to help the film due to the polarized opinions surrounding Trump. Those who support Trump probably weren't interested in seeing a film that didn't present him in a flattering light. Meanwhile, those who don't support Trump probably weren't excited to see more of him and his life story, especially with just a month to go before the presidential election, when he was already being heavily featured in media coverage. Stan's award-worthy performance deserved to be seen by more people in theaters, but external factors ensured the film's box office demise.
What's next for Sebastian Stan?
He has a new MCU movie in 2025
Stan's next film, Rays*, I'll see you reprising the role of Bucky Barnes in live-action for the first time since the 2021 Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. THE Rays* The cast also features several other familiar faces from the MCU, including Florence Pugh as Yelena, David Harbor as Red Guardian and Wyatt Russell as US Agent. The film is currently in post-production and is scheduled for release on May 2, 2025.
Outside of the MCU, Stan will be meeting with your Pam and Tommy co-star Lily James in psychological horror film Let evil go west. It is being directed by Christian Tafdrup, who directed the original Don't speak badly. Let evil go west revolves around a railway worker (Stan) who discovers a fortune through disturbing means. He then becomes consumed by terrifying hallucinations, leading his wife (James) to believe that their family is haunted by an evil presence. The project is still in pre-production.
Enter Bucky, Once upon a timeIt's Jefferson, I, TonyaJeff Gillooly, Tommy Lee and Donald Trump, Sebastian Stan have demonstrated incredible range throughout their career and will undoubtedly continue to take on a wide range of roles.
Although Stan doesn't have any other films officially announced yet, he will likely appear as Bucky in Avengers: Judgment Day and in Avengers: Secret Wars. Hopefully he will star in more independent films as well. Enter Bucky, Once upon a timeIt's Jefferson, I, TonyaJeff Gillooly, Tommy Lee and Donald Trump, Sebastian Stan has demonstrated incredible range throughout his career and will no doubt continue to take on a wide range of roles.
Source: The playlist