Transforming Trump: How Sebastian Stan Embodied the Controversial Mogul

Sebastian Stan, the Marvel star, faced a daunting challenge in portraying the young Donald Trump in the film "The Apprentice." The movie, which explores how lawyer Roy Cohn coached Trump to become a real estate shark and tabloid fixture in the 1980s, has already sparked controversy, with both Trump and some critics expressing strong reactions. However, the filmmakers aimed to humanize these figures, seeking to understand the motivations behind their actions rather than engage in political propaganda.

Uncovering the Essence of a Polarizing Figure

Mastering the Mannerisms and Speech Patterns of a Younger Trump

To capture the essence of a younger Trump, Sebastian Stan immersed himself in recordings of the former president, listening to them constantly in the months leading up to filming. He was struck by the differences between Trump's speech patterns then and now, noting that the younger Trump was "much more coherent" and spoke "really quickly" compared to the more scattered and disjointed manner of his current public appearances. Stan also memorized many of Trump's speeches, creating a "muscle memory" of specific words and phrases that he could draw upon during improvised moments on set.

Channeling the Vanity and Self-Consciousness of the Young Trump

In addition to studying Trump's speech, Stan closely observed the mogul's mannerisms and body language, particularly in a 1980 interview with entertainment reporter Rona Barrett. He noticed the way Trump would "look off when a new thought comes, or how he shifts in his seat," as well as the "Blue Steel" look he would give to the camera when entering events with his wife, Ivana. These observations led Stan to conclude that Trump was a "very self-conscious person," whose body language suggested a lack of natural comfort in the spotlight.

Physically Transforming to Capture Trump's Evolving Appearance

Recognizing that he was already in superhero shape from his work on Marvel projects, Stan knew he needed to adjust his physique to better match the young Trump's appearance. With the help of a nutritionist, he adopted a diet heavy in carbohydrates, including sushi and ramen, in an effort to appear "more bloated" in the face. This, combined with the use of prosthetics, helped Stan achieve a closer physical resemblance to the former president.

Recreating the Iconic Trump Look, from Hair to Wardrobe

The filmmakers were meticulous in their attention to detail when it came to recreating Trump's iconic look, from his sandy, disheveled hair to his distinctive wardrobe. Director Ali Abbasi became "unhealthily obsessed" with getting the hair just right, as he recognized it as one of Trump's most defining characteristics. The film tracks the evolution of Trump's hairstyle, from the "wild and fuzzy" look of the 1970s to the "slicker and more gelled" style of the 1980s, and even the "creative ways to comb it over" as he began to lose his hair.The wardrobe also underwent a transformation, with Trump's suits becoming looser and the colors "more extreme" as he gained weight and his wealth and influence grew. The filmmakers even recreated the iconic "Scarface" costume, with the red shirt and white jacket, as well as the lighter, more tropical style he adopted when he moved to Florida.

Uncovering the Roots of Trump's Apparent Obsession with Cosmetics

The film also explores Trump's apparent obsession with cosmetics, including his famous bronzer. According to the filmmakers, this fixation on appearance dates back decades, with a member of the movie's makeup team recounting a story of helping Trump get ready for an event, during which he denied having any makeup on, despite the artist's efforts to apply it.This attention to detail in recreating Trump's physical appearance, from his hair and wardrobe to his cosmetic habits, reflects the filmmakers' commitment to humanizing the controversial figure and exploring the motivations behind his actions, rather than simply engaging in political propaganda.