Inside Sebastian Stan’s Completely Unrecognizable Transformation for ‘A Different Man’

As a movie lover with a deep appreciation for transformative performances and the artistry behind them, I must say that Sebastian Stan’s role in “A Different Man” is nothing short of extraordinary. The dedication and commitment he’s shown to embody Edward, a character grappling with neurofibromatosis, is truly commendable.

As a seasoned film critic, I found myself intrigued by the transformation of Sebastian Stan in the upcoming A24 production, “A Different Man.” Makeup artist Mike Marino made it clear to me that this role demanded more from Stan than merely donning a mask. Instead, he would be immersed in a profound metamorphosis, one that would challenge him beyond his expectations.

It would be a transformation that would require him to live in the character’s shoes.

In the recently released movie, Stan portrays Edward, a character afflicted with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of tumors on both skin and bone. To alter his appearance due to medical interventions, he undergoes a drastic transformation. However, things take an unexpected turn when he encounters Adam Pearson’s character, Oswald. Unlike himself, Oswald is self-assured, amusing, well-liked, and captivating.

Prior to the start, Marino understood that he would need to conceal at least one of Stan’s eyes and one ear. As he put it, “I made him aware. I told him, ‘We’re planning to stick your entire head, including hair, with glue. It will be hot and uncomfortable.’

The twice-Oscar-nominated makeup artist captured images and livestreamed Stan, while also creating 3D scans of the actor’s head and producing a 3D replica. Similarly, Marino took a scan of Pearson and printed a 3D model of his face for reference purposes. “I initiated the process to determine what might suit Sebastian,” says Marino, “but there were technical constraints regarding the placement of his mouth, eyes, and ears. I had to adjust and balance the makeup and design changes I could make on Sebastian, ensuring they didn’t simply replicate Adam’s face.

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A post shared by Mike Marino (@prorenfx)

After finishing the sculptures, I crafted molds and filled them with silicone – a unique, lightweight, translucent material I’d prepared by painting it with an airbrush prior. This way, when Sebastian visited my studio, it took about two hours to glue him into this special makeup. With everything in place, Sebastian carried an additional 2 pounds on his face.” (First-person narrative of a film enthusiast)

Since Marino was occupied with another task, I found myself arriving early and leaving for my second job. “During those hours, I had the chance to immerse myself in the city’s makeup artist life in New York, exploring and experiencing what it might be like for Adam. This gave me a genuine insight into how people perceive you and react to you when you have an unusual appearance or wear makeup,” explains Marino.

Regarding that encounter, Stan stated, “On bustling Broadway in New York, people seem to overlook me entirely. It feels like I’m completely invisible.” However, the other response was even more disheartening: “Someone would suddenly halt and quite openly gesture to their companion, snap a photo.

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Marino’s makeup underwent four distinct transformations. Initially, he deepened the application and incorporated rough patches and chunks of peeling skin to resemble scabs.

At a certain point, Edward’s skin became incredibly scaly and thin, much like Marino described as being “almost-cocoon-like,” allowing him to stretch it easily. Marino applied a soft mold made of makeup to Stan, but it was difficult to keep its shape due to the way it was dripping off. On the day they did this, Marino had Stan lean back, glued the mold onto him, and when he stood up again, it was dripping and hanging off entirely. Marino clarified that he designed a secondary phase, a transitional stage where the face is partially Sebastian’s and partially Edward’s. This stage is characterized by his chin still being twisted and his eyes pulled down, which can be seen beneath the makeup as it peels off during the process. Lumps were added to mimic scabs, and once these come off, we reach Sebastian’s normal state again — his face without the makeup.

However, things don’t stop at this point. The presence of Oswald stirs in Edward the desire to return to his past self. To achieve this, he can only do so by wearing a disguise. Consequently, Marino created another version which was designed as a mask that Edward could wear and remove.

Marino expresses his hope that people will watch “A Different Man” due to its powerful message. He explains, “Just as we can remove makeup, we cannot change Adam’s appearance. Yet, there is a profound beauty in someone who stands out, who doesn’t conform to the norm. This aspect is beautifully portrayed in the film and highlights how unique and admirable he is.” Marino further emphasizes, “It’s crucial to redefine beauty. Naturally, it should not be determined by one’s physical appearance. Instead, it should reflect a person’s soul, their emotions, and their individuality.

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2024-09-21 20:17

Inside Sebastian Stan’s Completely Unrecognizable Transformation for ‘A Different Man’

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