The competition for Best Actor in 2025 has repeatedly placed Sebastian Stan and Adrien Brody in direct contention. Despite not receiving a nomination at the SAG Awards, the star of The Apprentice garnered significant recognition at the event, thanks to the esteemed Hollywood figure Jane Fonda.

During her acceptance speech for the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 31st Screen Actors Guild Awards on February 23, Fonda took the opportunity to critique the Trump administration. She acknowledged Stan, who portrayed a younger version of the 47th U.S. president in the 2024 biopic, praising his performance.

Jane Fonda's shoutout to Sebastian Stan at the SAG Awards 2025

In her remarks, Jane Fonda highlighted Sebastian Stan at the SAG Awards 2025, stating, “While you may dislike the actions of your character, it is essential to understand and empathize with the traumatized individual you are portraying.” She further emphasized, “I am referring to Sebastian Stan in ‘The Apprentice.’ Let there be no misunderstanding: empathy is neither a sign of weakness nor a product of being 'woke.' In fact, being 'woke' simply indicates that you care about others.”

As Fonda's commendation of Stan echoed throughout the venue, the camera shifted its focus to Adrien Brody, while Stan was notably absent.

Netizens speculate about Sebastian Stan-Adrien Brody's alleged beef

Observers have remarked on the evolution of the ongoing rivalry between Sebastian Stan and Adrien Brody, which has become a recurring theme at recent Hollywood award ceremonies. Similar to The Apprentice, Adrien Brody's film The Brutalist has emerged as a significant contender during the awards season. Nevertheless, the revelation by the film’s Oscar-nominated editor, David Jancso, regarding the employment of AI voice-generating technology to enhance the authenticity of the Hungarian accents of both Brody and his co-star Felicity Jones has led to a considerable backlash against the film.

Sebastian Stan's initial reaction to Adrien Brody was pulled out of context and out of proportion

Two months prior, Brody and Stan participated in a Roundtable discussion hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, which also included notable figures such as Colman Domingo, Daniel Craig, Paul Mescal, and Peter Sarsgaard. While the majority of the interview was characterized by smiles and laughter, a particular moment garnered significant attention from netizens.

Approximately 40 minutes into the video, the spotlight turns to Brody, as the other prominent actors, including Sebastian, intently listen to his reflections on the insights gained throughout his extensive career. However, many viewers scrutinized the expression of the A Different Man actor, interpreting it as one of "disgust."

It is important to highlight that the December Roundtable discussion occurred well before Jancso’s admission regarding AI to Red Shark in January. At that time, the star of The Pianist was not contemplating the subject while responding to the inquiry directed at him; his attention was primarily on his personal and professional challenges.

Nevertheless, Stan's expressions during Brody's recent appearances have sparked considerable discussion. Fans have been actively compiling his reactions to The Brutalist actor on X/Twitter, while also speculating about the reasons behind the perceived tension between the two.

The Brutalist director's perspective on AI

Earlier this month, Brody addressed the controversy surrounding the film's use of AI, specifically the Innovative Respeecher technology employed during post-production.

Initially, filmmaker Brady Corbet provided a statement to Deadline, clarifying their position: “Adrien and Felicity’s performances are entirely their own.”

He further stated, “They dedicated months to working with dialect coach Tanera Marshall to refine their accents. … The objective was to maintain the authenticity of Adrien and Felicity’s performances in another language, rather than to replace or modify them, and this was done with the highest regard for the craft.”

Adrien Brody on The Brutalist AI controversy

Brody addressed the ongoing controversy during his appearance on the 'Little Gold Men' podcast hosted by Vanity Fair. He remarked, “I recognize that we are in an era where even the mention of AI can provoke strong reactions. Unfortunately, in today's digital landscape, information can be easily misrepresented,” he stated. “I wish there was a greater understanding of the context and the facts surrounding these situations.”

He elaborated, “I am pleased that Brady was able to clarify many points in his statements. To begin with, I am the son of Hungarian immigrants and grew up speaking that language at home. I even incorporated some Hungarian curse words into the dialogue that were not part of the original script. … It is important to note that the post-production process only involved certain lines in Hungarian; the dialect itself remained intact, thanks to the diligent efforts of our exceptional dialect coach, Tanera Marshall. We all put in tremendous effort, and we are all aware of that.”

“Brady is a sensitive and considerate filmmaker. No technology was used to undermine the contributions of individuals. This is a standard post-production procedure. I believe we all understand the reality of the situation.”

Both Sebastian (The Apprentice) and Adrien (The Brutalist) have received nominations for Actor in a Leading Role at this year's Oscars. They were also contenders in the Best Actor-Drama category at the Golden Globes, where Brody emerged victorious. However, Stan achieved significant recognition by winning the Best Actor - Musical or Comedy award for his film, A Different Man. While Timothee Chalamet took home the SAG Award for Best Actor on Sunday, the star of The Brutalist is currently leading the awards season after securing victories at the Critics Choice and BAFTA ceremonies.

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