Director of Sebastian Stan’s $12M Biopic Addresses Box Office Failure Despite 83% Rotten Tomatoes Score: “I Still Don’t Understand”

The director of Sebastian Stan‘s divisive biographical film, slated for release in 2024, recently addressed its disappointing box office performance. Before this role, Stan gained recognition in notable films such as Anne Hathaway’s Rachel Getting Married and Natalie Portman’s Black Swan, but it was his portrayal of James Buchanan “Bucky”Barnes in Captain America: The First Avenger (2011) that marked his rise to stardom. Since then, Bucky has become a pivotal character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, making appearances in major titles like Captain America: The Winter Soldier and the anticipated Thunderbolts.

Outside of the MCU, Stan has made a name for himself through diverse roles. He portrayed the beloved character Jefferson, also known as the Mad Hatter, in the ABC fantasy series Once Upon A Time during its first two seasons. His performance in I, Tonya garnered significant acclaim, solidifying his reputation in dramatic roles. Furthermore, his recent portrayal of Tommy Lee in Hulu’s miniseries Pam & Tommy earned him prestigious nominations for both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe.

Box Office Struggles for Sebastian Stan’s 2024 Flick, The Apprentice

Unexpected Box Office Results in the U.S.

Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice

Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn in The Apprentice

The Apprentice, featuring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump, achieved a commendable score of 83% from critics and an 84% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite these favorable reviews and a timely release just weeks before the 2024 U.S. presidential election, the film garnered a meager $12 million at the global box office. The ensemble cast also includes Mark Strong as Roy Cohn, Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, and Martin Donovan in the role of Fred Trump.

In a recent interview with The Playlist, director Ali Abbasi expressed his confusion regarding the film’s lack of box office success, particularly in the U.S. He also voiced his bewilderment over the film being labeled controversial, considering the contentious nature of its subject. Abbasi shared his thoughts:

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 Insights on the Box Office Shortfall for The Apprentice

Influential External Factors

Scene from The Apprentice featuring Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump

While favorable reviews were expected to boost its performance, the The Apprentice faced challenges due to the deeply polarized opinions surrounding Donald Trump. Supporters of Trump may have been disinclined to watch a film that does not cast him in a favorable light. Conversely, detractors likely showed little enthusiasm for additional portrayals of his life and career, particularly during a heated election season when he was the focus of extensive media coverage. Stan’s compelling performance indeed deserves to be recognized by a broader audience, yet various external factors contributed to the film’s financial failure.

Source: The Playlist

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