The conversation delved into 'Fjord,' directed by acclaimed Romanian auteur Cristian Mungiu. This marks Mungiu’s first English-language feature and Stan’s first role in Romanian. Stan plays Mihai, a fundamentalist father whose children are seized by the state, in a story inspired by real events and characteristic of Mungiu’s style with long takes and a refusal of close-ups. Stan, now in his 40s and a father himself, sees his roles through a new lens, questioning how to raise children in today's world without passing on unresolved issues.

Stan has notably become one of the few Marvel actors to cross over into the DC world. He met 'The Batman' filmmaker Matt Reeves, who admired 'The Apprentice,' and also proactively contacted DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn to express his availability. While he remained tight-lipped about specific roles, particularly the rumored Harvey Dent, Stan conveyed immense respect for Reeves' vision. "I go to set sometimes and I look around and I’m like, I think we’re making fucking ‘Godfather Part Two,’" Stan shared, emphasizing Reeves' three years of dedicated work on the project. He anticipates a significant payoff from the film.

Stan expressed an "allergy" to repeating himself, concerned that actor overexposure can hinder their ability to disappear into new characters. He believes the subject matter of his work must be meaningful, stating, "We’re not doctors, we’re not on the front lines... This is the only way we get to communicate."

Regarding 'Fjord,' Stan addressed the divisive reactions and the "MAGA movie" label it has received, particularly from "people who never see it." He hopes the film can bridge divides, allowing audiences to sit together and engage with its themes.

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On returning to his mother tongue for 'Fjord': Stan explained that the film's theme of the immigrant experience resonated deeply with his own journey, recalling the shame he felt being different after moving to the U.S. He made a promise to himself at 16 or 17 to return to Romania for a film. Tracking Cristian Mungiu for years, Stan found the perfect fit when Mungiu offered a project that would be his first English-language film and Stan's first Romanian-language role.

On portraying Mihai in 'Fjord': While the film is inspired by a real family, Mungiu emphasized a fictionalized approach. Stan drew from various family dynamics, including his own relationship with his stern, guarded Eastern European father and grandfather. He also studied the specific fundamentalist belief system depicted, noting the inherent trust in divine will, which contrasted with his own hypothetical reaction to children being taken.

On fatherhood and 'redemption': Stan reflected on the subconscious desire to "right the wrongs" of his own upbringing and provide what he lacked. More importantly, he's mindful of the voices we internalize from our parents and strives not to pass on his own unresolved issues to his children.

On 'Fjord' being labeled a 'MAGA movie': Stan challenged the notion that one side holds all answers and is faultless, noting such reactions often come from those who haven't seen the film. He believes such divisive labels underscore the need for films like 'Fjord' to encourage dialogue and understanding, emphasizing that "kids shouldn’t be the ones paying the price" for societal flaws.

On his character's restraint in 'Fjord': After playing "larger-than-life characters" in 'A Different Man' and 'The Apprentice,' Stan sought a different challenge. He embraced Mungiu’s style of long takes and lack of close-ups to portray the unpredictable restraint of men who struggle to express themselves, contrasting it with potentially romanticized portrayals in other films.

On his post-MCU career choices: Stan aims to offer something different, describing himself as "allergic to repeating myself." He acknowledges actor overexposure but sees it as a motivation to choose roles that allow him to "offer something new." He prioritizes relevant topics that can "stand the test of time" and spark conversations about contemporary issues, viewing filmmaking as his primary mode of communication.

On 'Batman' and joining the DC Universe: Stan grew up a huge Batman fan, citing 'Batman Returns' as his favorite superhero movie and even admitting a "shameful" fondness for 'Batman Forever.' He never expected to join the DC universe after his Marvel role as Bucky, believing he'd be typecast. However, two events converged: Matt Reeves contacted him after seeing 'The Apprentice,' and Stan proactively reached out to James Gunn. He sees these worlds as parallel and mutually beneficial.

On 'The Batman 2' secrecy and 'The Godfather Part Two' comparison: Stan expressed respect for actors like Tom Holland who handle intense secrecy. He believes audiences won't fully grasp 'The Batman 2' until they see it. He reiterated his strong feeling that "we’re making fucking ‘The Godfather Part Two,’" praising Matt Reeves' three years of dedication to creating a "grounded and real" film. He anticipates a significant payoff despite the long wait.

A tease from 'The Batman 2': When asked to share a line from the movie, Stan playfully revealed that the word "cookies" comes up, offering a humorous, out-of-context hint.