Sebastian Stan has revealed why he won’t be appearing in the latest season of Variety’s Actors on Actors.
During a screening of his new film, The Apprentice, the 42-year-old Emmy-nominated actor explained that he was initially slated to participate in the popular interview series. However, the plan fell apart when they couldn’t find another actor willing to discuss the project with him.
“I couldn’t find another actor to do it with me, because they were too afraid to go and talk about this movie. So I couldn’t do it,” Sebastian shared, as seen in a YouTube video from the event.
The film, which is a biopic of Donald Trump, seems to have stirred some apprehension in Hollywood, making it difficult to secure a partner for the interview.
“You know, I’ve got to do a lot of great things, and that’s not pointing at anyone specific,” Sebastian clarified. “It was… we couldn’t get past the publicists or the people representing them, because [they were] too afraid to talk about this movie.”
Sebastian went on to express his concerns about the reluctance to engage with controversial topics like Trump’s story.
“And it’s like, that’s when I think we lose the situation,” he said. “Because if it really becomes like that—fear or that discomfort to talk about this—then we’re really going to have a problem.”
Sebastian acknowledged the tension surrounding Trump, particularly after his election win, and noted how difficult it is to discuss such a polarizing figure.
“I understand that talking about the soon-to-be President is a really difficult thing to deal with at the moment,” he said. “And I understand the emotions are very high, but I think that’s the only way you’re going to grasp this film.”
The actor also challenged audiences to consider the broader implications of dismissing Trump entirely.
“If all it’s saying is you cannot keep casting this person aside, especially after they get the popular vote, should we not give this a closer look and try to understand what it is about this person that’s even driving that?” Sebastian asked.
While the decision to drop out of Actors on Actors was ultimately a practical one, Sebastian’s comments reflect his belief in the importance of engaging with difficult subjects.
The Avengers star has never shied away from taking on challenging roles, and The Apprentice appears to be no exception. Though it seems the project has already sparked some debate, Sebastian remains committed to fostering conversations that help audiences confront complex topics—even when it’s uncomfortable.
For now, fans will have to wait to see how The Apprentice is received, but one thing is clear: Sebastian Stan isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, both on and off the screen.
