Sebastian Stan recently talked about his roles in the new Marvel movie Thunderbolts and the indie film The Apprentice. He shared his thoughts on acting and how Hollywood responds to political figures.
In Thunderbolts, he mentioned that the film uses practical effects more than CGI, suggesting that audiences can really see the difference and appreciate the realness of practical effects. He pointed out that Marvel is supportive of this method, which could lead to changes in how the studio handles effects in post-production. This use of practical effects could set Thunderbolts apart from other Marvel movies that rely heavily on CGI.
Stan said, “It’s a little bit like The Breakfast Club. It has its own vibe, and it’s funny, and it’s real, and we did actual real stunts, like when you’re watching a truck blow up, it’s a truck blown up. It’s not CGI. Marvel really wanted this to have its own- there were many things in the movie that were actually done practically, and I think that does go a long way, because people are just smart. I think audiences just, they know.”
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Stan’s comments highlight a bigger conversation about the balance between practical effects and CGI in movies. While CGI is flexible, practical effects often feel more real because they have slight imperfections that digital effects can’t replicate. These small flaws can greatly affect how genuine a viewer feels a scene is. Practical effects also provide a useful reference for CGI-heavy scenes, helping to maintain consistency and enhance overall quality.
In addition, Stan talked about playing a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice. He explained how he prepared extensively, watching hours of footage so he wouldn’t just copy Trump’s gestures. He wanted to portray Trump in a nuanced way, focusing on his complex personality rather than just making a caricature. Stan drew a connection between his detailed preparation and Trump’s crafted public image. He also shared how playing such a controversial figure brought him stress during filming.
Stan related his acting choices to his personal experiences as an immigrant, mentioning the challenges he faced in fitting in. This desire to belong has motivated him to take on varied and difficult roles. For example, in A Different Man, he played a character dealing with facial disfigurement, showcasing his willingness to tackle unconventional roles. He talked about the commitment required for that role, including wearing facial prosthetics in public to see how people reacted.
Source: Direct