The director of Sebastian Stan's controversial 2024 biopic addresses the movie not performing well at the box office. Stan appeared in the 2008 Anne Hathaway movie Rachel Getting Married and the 2010 Natalie Portman movie Black Swan, but it was 2011's Captain America: The First Avenger that 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, including Captain America: The Winter Soldier and Avengers: Endgame.

Stan has had plenty of success outside the MCU as well. He played fan-favorite Once Upon A Time character Jefferson/the Mad Hatter in seasons 1 and 2 of the ABC fantasy series. I, Tonya, which is considered one of Sebastian Stan's best movies, earned him a great deal of acclaim. His career received further recognition, including Emmy Award and Golden Globe nominations, for his portrayal of Tommy Lee in Hulu's 2022 series Pam & 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's cast includes Succession's Jeremy Strong in the role of Roy Cohn, Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, and Martin Donovan as Fred Trump.

While speaking with The Playlist, The Apprentice's director Ali 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 reviews were not enough to help the movie due to the polarizing opinions surrounding Trump. Those who Trump were likely uninterested in seeing a movie that does not present him in a flattering light. Meanwhile, those who do not 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 him reprising the role of Bucky Barnes in live-action for the first time since the 2021 Disney+ series The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. The Thunderbolts* cast features 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 May 2, 2025.

Sebastian Stan will not be in Captain America: Brave New World, which will be released on February 14, 2025.

Outside the MCU, Stan will be reuniting with his Pam & Tommy co-star Lily James in the psychological horror movie Let The Evil Go West. It is being directed by Christian Tafdrup, who directed the original Speak No Evil. Let The Evil Go West revolves 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, he will likely appear as Bucky in Avengers: Doomsday and in Avengers: 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 Stan has demonstrated incredible range throughout his career, and will undoubtedly continue to take on a wide range of roles.

Source: The Playlist