While the 2025 Oscar nominations have sparked discussions online due to their contentious selections in some categories, there also have been some unanimous picks, including Sebastian Stan’s Best Actor nod for his part in The Apprentice. In the Ali Abbasi directorial, Stan plays a younger version of Donald Trump, who embarks on an ambitious journey to seek power and wealth after encountering the ruthless lawyer Roy Cohn.

For his masterful portrayal of the spirited politician, the Romanian-American actor not only received critical acclaim but also scored his first Academy Award nod. In a recent discussion, Stan voiced how surreal it felt to finally achieve recognition from the Academy.

Thunderbolts*’s Sebastian Stan reacts to Oscar nomination for Best Actor

Upon receiving his maiden Best Actor nomination at the Oscars for The Apprentice, Sebastian Stan expressed gratitude before describing the feat as “the American dream.”

While talking to The Hollywood Reporter, the 42-year-old actor stated, “I’m speechless. I’m humbled. I guess this is what they mean by the American dream. I’m so grateful to everyone who made the impossible possible. Thank you for this brave recognition.”

While Stan’s take on Donald Trump notched him a deserved Best Actor nomination, immense competition awaits him in the category. The list also features Ralph Fiennes (Conclave), Colman Domingo (Sing Sing), Adrien Brody (The Brutalist), and Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown).

2024 has proven to be a fruitful year for the Thunderbolts*’s star. Last year, Sebastian Stan also made waves for his role in A Different Man. Led by Stan and Adam Pearson, the Aaron Schimberg-helmed flick beat a hoard of films to win the Best Feature at the 2024 Gotham Awards.

After inspiring audiences with his indie roles, Sebastian Stan will now return to the Marvel setup with Thunderbolts*. The upcoming MCU film features a hoard of Hollywood A-listers alongside Stan, including Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz, among others. Directed by Jake Schreier, Thunderbolts* will hit theaters on May 2, 2025.