Stan's Bold Transformation: NYC's Raw Reactions

Sebastian Stan was eager to collaborate with Oscar-nominated makeup artist Mike Marino for his film A Different Man, participating in a unique social experiment to prepare for his role. In this film, Stan plays Edward, an aspiring actor with neurofibromatosis (NF1), who undergoes a transformative procedure, only to face emotional turmoil when he loses a key role to Oswald (played by Adam Pearson), who lives a fuller life with the condition.

To achieve the necessary transformation, Stan sought Marino, renowned for making Colin Farrell unrecognizable in The Batman and HBO’s The Penguin. With Marino busy on The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, Stan walked several blocks from his SoHo apartment to Marino’s home each morning around 4 or 5 a.m., often exploring Manhattan in full makeup while waiting for his call time.

While Stan does not see himself primarily as a physical actor, his performances reflect a deep engagement with his characters. In A Different Man, the unique makeup affects his body language and interactions, making him feel more defensive and cautious in social situations.

Marino praised Stan’s ability to immerse himself in the character, stating that this experience informed his performance. Stan often wandered the Upper West Side during breaks, noting the varied reactions from pedestrians, which mirrored Edward's feelings of powerlessness in the film.

Some reactions were intense, with onlookers expressing shock or curiosity, while others were more subtle, revealing a range of human responses. Stan observed how people's reactions often stemmed from their own experiences rather than malice.

Marino's motivation for working on the film was inspired by the 1980 movie The Elephant Man, which tells the story of Joseph Merrick. Initially frightened by the film as a child, Marino later came to appreciate its emotional depth and the art of makeup transformations.

As Stan promotes both A Different Man and his upcoming role as young Donald Trump in The Apprentice, he finds parallels in the themes of truth and self-denial. The most meaningful feedback he received came from Pearson's mother, who felt that Stan had truly captured what it’s like to walk in her son's shoes.