The first clip from the highly anticipated Donald Trump biopic The Apprentice has been released, giving audiences a glimpse of Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of the former President. The film, set during Trump’s rise as a real estate mogul in the 1970s and 1980s, also stars Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, a notorious prosecutor and political fixer, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, Trump’s first wife.
The minute-long clip shows Trump riding in a car with Cohn, who is guiding him through a phone call with a potential real estate client. This early scene highlights the formation of Trump’s business persona, heavily influenced by Cohn’s advice. Notably, Stan doesn’t attempt a direct impersonation of Trump’s voice, opting instead for a more nuanced interpretation that captures the essence of Trump’s early days.
The Apprentice not only references Trump’s famous reality show but also serves as a depiction of his early career when he was, quite literally, an apprentice under Cohn’s mentorship. The film delves into the origins of Trump’s public persona and offers a glimpse into the broader political landscape that would later shape his rise to power.
Despite efforts from Trump and his legal team to prevent the film’s release, citing its controversial content—including a scene depicting Trump’s alleged assault on Ivana—The Apprentice is slated for a mid-October release. Director Ali Abbasi has pushed back against claims that the film is a “political hit piece,” stating that it focuses on Trump’s early career without a political agenda.
In an unusual move, the film’s producers have launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund a wider theatrical release. Producer Dan Bekerman addressed the campaign, saying, “Despite the integrity of the film and without even seeing it, Trump’s campaign sought to suppress it. The idea that artists can no longer freely criticize the powerful should concern us all. We need your help to resoundingly reject this dangerous precedent.”
The Apprentice is scheduled to hit domestic theaters on October 11, with international release dates to follow.
