Sebastian Stan did not hold back while speaking at the Cannes Film Festival this week. The actor reflected on the current political climate in the United States while discussing his Donald Trump drama, The Apprentice.
During a press conference for his new movie Fjord, Stan said the situation in America has become deeply troubling and far from something people should joke about.
Sebastian Stan slams Donald Trump’s presidency
While promoting Fjord at Cannes, Sebastian Stan was asked how he now views The Apprentice, the Trump-focused movie that premiered shortly before the 2024 election. According to an outlet, laughter broke out in the room when the topic came up, but Stan quickly shut down the mood. “It’s just not a laughing matter, to be honest. It isn’t,” he said. He added, “I think we’re in a really, really bad place (via Variety).”
Stan also pointed to issues he believes are affecting the country, including media control, censorship, and legal threats. He explained that many of those pressures were already visible while making The Apprentice.
The actor recalled how the production faced uncertainty ahead of its Cannes debut in 2024 after Donald Trump criticized the movie and reportedly threatened legal action. Stan said the team did not even know if the film would screen at the festival just days before the premiere.
Away from politics, Stan also made headlines for Fjord, directed by acclaimed Romanian filmmaker Cristian Mungiu. The emotional drama reportedly received a 10-minute standing ovation at Cannes. The film follows a Romanian family living in Norway whose children are taken away after authorities notice bruises on one child. Stan stars opposite Renate Reinsve, who previously won Cannes’ best actress prize for The Worst Person in the World.
Sebastian Stan remains one of Hollywood’s busiest actors. Beyond Marvel’s Winter Soldier role, he recently earned praise for projects like The Apprentice, Pam & Tommy, and A Different Man, continuing to balance blockbuster fame with darker character-driven stories.
Originally reported by Rishabh Shandilya on Mandatory.
