Thunderbolts* Star Faces Unique Challenge On Film Set

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On the set of Thunderbolts*, Sebastian Stan faced a fascinating challenge related to his portrayal of Donald Trump in a different project.
Stan invested considerable effort in adopting Trump’s physical attributes and gestures, influencing his portrayal in Thunderbolts*.
Audiences can anticipate a distinctive performance from Stan in Thunderbolts*, inspired by his commitment to embodying Trump, which could play a crucial role in the film’s success.

The much-anticipated Thunderbolts* film is gearing up for its premiere, but one of its leading actors has shared an intriguing story about a peculiar challenge encountered during the filming of this Marvel Cinematic Universe installment, which is bound to amuse fans.

With a surge in popularity recently, Thunderbolts* is gaining momentum, especially following the decline of Jonathan Majors and his Kang character, which has allowed more grounded narratives to capture attention on Disney+ and in cinemas. As excitement builds for titles like Daredevil: Born Again, the spotlight now shifts to its ensemble of unconventional antiheroes, promising engaging storytelling as teased in the promotional content. Amongst the cast is the well-loved Sebastian Stan, who has showcased impressive versatility in various roles, previously portraying a villain and more recently, stepping up as one of the MCU’s heroes alongside iconic Avengers.

Despite Stan once believing he had wrapped up his journey as Bucky after his last appearance in Captain America, both the character and the actor have since returned to the Marvel universe for projects on both Disney+ and the silver screen. He is slated to lead Thunderbolts* alongside Florence Pugh’s Yelena Belova. However, Stan recently admitted that his experience filming for the antihero film came with its own set of challenges. During a recent chat with GQ about his role in The Apprentice, he disclosed how his portrayal of a younger Donald J. Trump inadvertently affected his work on Thunderbolts*.

“After wrapping The Apprentice, I jumped straight into Marvel,” Stan explained as the interview concluded. “While performing scenes, I’d catch myself thinking, ‘Wow! This character is still lingering with me.” He went on to share how he even tested his new improvisational skills inspired by the former President in various restaurants, discussed his approach to criticism, and expressed interest in collaborating with Robert Downey Jr. in his new role as Victor Von Doom in the MCU.

Known for his unique speaking style and gestures, Trump is a character Stan diligently studied to portray authentically, even if it meant enduring a significant amount of research. He reportedly gained some weight and meticulously reviewed over 600 video files, striving to replicate both Trump’s physical traits and inflections. This level of dedication certainly benefits the project, but it may not be easy for Stan to fully transition between roles once the cameras stop rolling. Consequently, viewers might notice a shift in Bucky’s demeanor, particularly since his character’s ties to the U.S. Government in the MCU could complicate matters. Nevertheless, Stan is also expected to reprise his role in Captain America: Brave New World, which he likened to the Rocky films, set to be released in February, just ahead of Thunderbolts* debut in May.

Given the recent positive reception of the MCU following the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, coupled with the potential impact of Brave New World, Thunderbolts* is poised to rise above merely being seen as the MCU’s version of Suicide Squad, while contributing to a broader range of grounded narratives within the franchise. Stan’s performance is set to be pivotal, making his investment in his previous role an indicator of his dedication to delivering a remarkable depiction in this upcoming film.

Thunderbolts* is currently slated for release in theaters on May 2, 2025.

Source: GQ

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