The debut official clip of *The Apprentice* offers viewers a closer glimpse of Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of former U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The film, directed by Ali Abbasi of *The Last of Us* fame and penned by journalist Gabriel Sherman, is set in the years preceding Trump’s tenure as the 45th president, focusing on his nascent real estate ventures. During this period, Trump cultivated a relationship with prosecutor Roy Cohn, a character brought to life by Jeremy Strong from *Succession* in the forthcoming film.
As anticipation builds for its October 11th premiere, Briarcliff Entertainment has unveiled the first official clip on X. Take a look below:
The clip not only showcases Stan’s interpretation of Trump’s early voice but also provides a glimpse of Jeremy Strong’s Roy Cohn. It features a scene where the budding businessman engages in a phone conversation with a journalist, acquiring the showmanship skills that would later become his hallmark.
*The Apprentice*: A Film Generating Significant Buzz This Year
The Trump Campaign’s Attempt to Halt the Film’s Release
With its theatrical release strategically planned before the upcoming election, *The Apprentice* has quickly become one of the year’s most discussed films. It has garnered largely positive feedback from its showings at the Cannes and Telluride Film Festivals, despite some critics labeling it as a shallow portrayal of Trump’s formative years. Nevertheless, Stan and Strong’s performances as Trump and Cohn, respectively, have been widely lauded.
However, *The Apprentice* has already stirred controversy, with Donald Trump’s presidential campaign threatening legal action against the film over a contentious scene depicting a rape involving Trump’s first wife, Ivana. The campaign sought to prevent the film’s U.S. release by issuing a cease and desist letter to the filmmakers, aiming to halt all “marketing, distribution, and publication of the movie.” The letter claimed the film repeatedly defames Trump and “constitutes direct foreign interference in America’s elections.”
The film will also feature depictions of Trump’s extended family, with Martin Donovan and Charlie Carrick portraying Trump’s father and brother, Fred and Fred Jr.
Despite the initial threats, the Trump campaign seems to have withdrawn from pursuing legal measures against the film. Briarcliff Entertainment recently acquired the movie and intends to release it ahead of the next U.S. election. This controversy has inadvertently granted *The Apprentice* free publicity, heightening public interest in the film. When it finally hits theaters on October 11, it is poised to generate even more discussion.
Source: Briarcliff Entertainment
The Apprentice
The Apprentice delves into the cutthroat world of corporate espionage through the eyes of a young intern who finds herself entangled in a dangerous game of deceit and betrayal in a multinational corporation, where every ally could be an enemy.
