The director ofSebastian Stan’s controversial 2024 biopic addresses the movie not performing well at the box office. Stan appeared in the 2008 Anne Hathaway movieRachel Getting Marriedand the 2010 Natalie Portman movieBlack Swan, butit was 2011’sCaptain America: The First Avengerthat proved to be his breakout performance. James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes became one of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s most important characters who would go on to star in many future MCU projects, includingCaptain America: The Winter SoldierandAvengers: Endgame.
Stan has had plenty of success outside the MCU as well. He played fan-favoriteOnce Upon A Timecharacter Jefferson/the Mad Hatter in seasons 1 and 2 of the ABC fantasy series.I, Tonya, which is considered one ofSebastian Stan’s best movies, earned him a great deal of acclaim. His careerreceived further recognition, including Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominations, for his portrayal of Tommy Lee in Hulu’s 2022 seriesPam & Tommy.
Sebastian Stan’s 2024 Movie The Apprentice Was A Box Office Bomb
It Was Expected To Do Better In The U.S.
The Apprentice, starring Sebastian Stan, received an 83% critical score and 84% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite the positive critical and audience reception, and the timely release of only a month before the 2024 United States presidential election,the Donald Trump biopic only made $12 million at the worldwide box office. In addition to Stan playing Trump,The Apprentice’s castincludesSuccession’s Jeremy Strong in the role of Roy Cohn, Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, and Martin Donovan as Fred Trump.
The Apprentice Ending Explained
The Apprentice sees Sebastian Stan and Jeremy Strong playing Donald Trump and Roy Cohn, and the movie offers a ton of material to analyze.
While speaking withThe Playlist,The Apprentice’s directorAli Abbasi candidly explained that he does not understand why the movie did not perform better, particularly in the United States. Beyond the box office numbers, he addresses his bafflement at the movie being deemed controversial. He touches on how the movie’s subject matter is already far more controversial than the movie he directed. Check out Abbasi’s comments below:
I’m disappointed and shocked about the reception in the U.S. of “The Apprentice.” What I’m really shocked about is that the movie is being considered controversial. I’ve said this many times, I still don’t understand. I mean, you’re dealing with someone who is like, it’s like he’s the encyclopedia entry of World Controversial, Donald Trump. I don’t know what’s controversial about the movie.
Our Take On Why The Apprentice Did Not Perform Better At The Box Office
Outside Factors Negatively Affected The Movie
The Apprentice’s positive reviewswerenot enough to help the movie due to the polarizing opinions surrounding Trump. Those who support Trump were likely uninterested in seeing a movie that does not present him in a flattering light. Meanwhile, those who do not support Trump were likely unenthused to see more of him and his life story, especially only a month away from the presidential election when he was already being featured extensively in media coverage. Stan’s award-worthy performance deserved to be seen by more people in theaters, but outside factors ensured the movie’s box office demise.
What’s Next For Sebastian Stan?
He Has A New MCU Movie In 2025
Stan’s next movie,Thunderbolts*, will see himreprising the role of Bucky Barnes in live-action for the first time since the 2021 Disney+ seriesThe Falcon and the Winter Soldier. TheThunderbolts* castfeatures several other familiar faces from the MCU as well, including Florence Pugh as Yelena, David Harbour as Red Guardian, and Wyatt Russell as U.S. Agent. The movie is currently in post-production and is scheduled to release in theaters on August 01, 2025.
Sebastian Stan will not be inCaptain America: Brave New World, which will be released on June 13, 2025.
Outside the MCU, Stan will bereuniting with hisPam & Tommyco-star Lily James in the psychological horror movieLet The Evil Go West. It is being directed by Christian Tafdrup, who directed the originalSpeak No Evil.Let The Evil Go Westrevolves around a railroad worker (Stan) who discovers a fortune through disturbing means. He is then 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.
Between Bucky,Once Upon A Time’s Jefferson,I, Tonya’s Jeff Gillooly, Tommy Lee, and Donald Trump, Sebastian Stan has demonstrated incredible range throughout his career, and will undoubtedly continue to take on a wide range of roles.
While Stan does not have any other movies officially announced yet, hewill likely appear as Bucky inAvengers: Doomsdayand inAvengers: Secret Wars. He will hopefully star in more standalone movies as well. Between Bucky,Once Upon A Time’s Jefferson,I, Tonya’s Jeff Gillooly, Tommy Lee, and Donald Trump,Sebastian Stanhas demonstrated incredible range throughout his career, and will undoubtedly continue to take on a wide range of roles.
The Apprentice
Cast
The Apprentice depicts a young Donald Trump in 1970s New York, highlighting his formative relationship with Roy Cohn, a ruthless attorney. As Trump seeks to establish his own legacy, Cohn identifies him as an ideal protégé, drawn to his ambition and determination to succeed at any cost.
