Sebastian Stan has been running around the city of Toronto.
“Fjord” is the film Stan long promised himself he would make: a return, however partial, to the country he left as a boy and the language he grew up speaking.
He calls himself “allergic” to repeating himself and worries that actors have grown too overexposed to disappear into anything. “We’re not doctors, we’re not on the front lines,” he says of why the subject has to matter. “This is the only way we get to communicate.”
“Fjord,” whose reactions on social media have included people branding it “a MAGA movie,” Stan says, has been labeled that by “people who never see it.” He’s hoping this divided country can still sit together in one theater. Whether audiences take him up on it is another question entirely.
“Fjord” is a rare role that lets you speak your mother tongue and work with a filmmaker from home. What did it stir in you to go back?
The film is inspired by a real family whose children are taken by the state. Where do you draw the line between honoring what happened and finding your own Mihai?
You’ve talked about difficult relationships with your father — and gave a shoutout to your stepdad in your Golden Globe speech for “A Different Man,” who raised you. Now that you’re a father, do you feel a responsibility or a subconscious redemption arc?
The reactions to “Fjord” have been divisive, and I’ve read some that have called it ‘A MAGA movie.’ How do you feel about that?
Here’s the thing: When did it become normalized to think that one side has all the answers and is completely faultless? A lot of those reactions come from people who haven’t seen the movie. It highlights why we need more films like this — to remind us there was a time when people could meet, disagree and at least hear each other out. The movie doesn’t go and point the finger and say, “Well, you hold the key and you don’t.” It’s just going, “Fuck, we’re flawed as people.” And, by the way, kids shouldn’t be the ones paying the price for that.
I also read somewhere that people wanted to see your character explode. He never quite does.
In real life, people don’t always have the tools for that. Coming off “A Different Man” and “The Apprentice,” where I played these larger-than-life characters, I wanted something difficult in a different direction. I knew Cristian likes to shoot these long one-takes; I knew he doesn’t like close-ups and it was a different challenge to do something more restrained — something that reminded me of the unpredictability I saw in men who don’t know how to express themselves. Movies sometimes make that a little more romantic.
Coming off an Oscar nomination for “The Apprentice,” and no shade to any of your MCU counterparts, but you’re one of the only people using your post-MCU powers for good — a stretch nobody would call safe. What are you chasing in a role now that you weren’t a few years ago?
One, I’m chasing the opportunity to offer something different. I’ve become allergic to repeating myself. Actors are so overexposed at this point — whether you’re on social media or not, everything is personal, everyone wants to know everything. It makes the job harder, because people want to see you play one thing. I don’t care as much what it is, as long as it lets me offer something new. If that’s paired with a topic that’s relevant, it becomes even more undeniable. As you get older, you want to do something that can stand the test of time, that’s a conversation starter about the relevant issues we’re dealing with. We’re not doctors; we’re not on the front lines. This is the only way we get to communicate.
Did you grow up watching Batman? And did you ever think you’d be in a Batman movie?
100%. My favorite superhero movie is “Batman Returns” — I remember exactly where I saw it, over Christmas. I didn’t see the original first. It was Michelle Pfeiffer, Danny DeVito and I was obsessed with that movie. I also, shamefully, really like “Batman Forever” — I love the Riddler, I love Jim Carrey …
What about Tommy Lee Jones?
Interesting.
But, growing up in Europe, Batman was the most recognizable thing to me. So when the MCU came first, it opened a door to comics I didn’t grow up with and I thought, well, that’s it, there’s no way I can get to the other side. No one’s going to hire me; I’ll be Bucky.
And then …?
Everyone’s asking you about Harvey Dent. There was a video of you basically walking away from the question. Do you have newfound respect for Tom Holland when it comes to secrecy?
Last question. David Harbour did this when I sat down with him — can you say one line from the movie, out of context, that your character says?
What did David say?
His was “You … are Tony Stark.”
That’s tricky. Ummm …
Do you say ‘Hello’ or anything like that?
I don’t even know if I say “hello.” [laughs] I want to give you something good. Let me say that the word “cookies” comes up. So enjoy that.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
