Most young Hollywood actors who land a role in a mega-hyped movie based on an iconic comic book might not merely relish the near-guaranteed meal ticket, but savor the childhood superhero fantasy come true. For 27-year-old Sebastian Stan, however, landing the role of James Bucky Barnes in the bound-to-be-huge Captain America: The First Avenger was more akin to getting a history lesson. “I didn’t really grow up on comic books. I don’t think there were many around in communist Romania when I was a kid,” he laughs. “I had a lot of catch-up reading to do when this part came along. I’m trying to be true to [the comic] and learn as much about the history as I can.”

Stan might not have known much about American pop culture as a child, but he’s quickly becoming a part of it. Having scored big roles on TV shows like Gossip Girl and the short-lived Kings—as well as some high-profile theater gigs in NYC—it wasn’t long before film came calling. This winter, Stan heats up opposite Natalie Portman in Darren Aronofsky’s exquisite Black Swan, and next fall he chases ghosts alongside Ashley Greene in The Apparition. Despite his star quickly rising in Hollywood, Stan remains committed to a life of low-key normalcy.

“I’m in New York most of the time, so I don’t really feel like I have a very Hollywood-esque life,” he explains. “I think it’s a lot of fun to be able to just walk down the street with my dog without anyone paying attention. I get to live in my own private little world here in the city. I hope to keep it that way.”

Sebastian Stan in New York City, June 2010
Photography Terry Richardson
Styling Lester Garcia
Sweater Osklen F/W 2010 Jeans Ksubi

Grooming Losi (The Wall Group)
Photo assistants Alanna Gabin, Nick Sethi, Nikki Tappa
Lighting Technician Seth Goldfarb
Digital Technician Glen Fabian
Retouching Brian Ziegler

KEYWORDS: sebastian stan