The highly anticipated biopic “The Apprentice” about Donald Trump’s early years as a real estate mogul premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to a mixed reception. Director Ali Abbasi expressed his openness to meeting with Trump to discuss the film, stating that he believes Trump would be surprised by the portrayal.
The film, set to be released in mid-September, shares its name with the reality TV series that catapulted Trump to fame. Abbasi, who was born in Iran, believes that Trump may not necessarily dislike the movie, but he would definitely be surprised by it.
Following the premiere, the Trump campaign announced plans to file a lawsuit against the film for what they claim are “blatantly false assertions.” Abbasi responded by urging Trump’s team to watch the movie before taking legal action, as he believes that once they see the character portrayal, their perspective may change.
“The Apprentice” focuses on Trump’s relationship with lawyer and fixer Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong in the TV drama “Succession.” Sebastian Stan takes on the role of Trump, immersing himself in the character to understand him beyond his media persona.
Stan described his preparation for the role as a 24/7 immersion process, emphasizing that Trump is a human being with his own codes and principles. The film offers a glimpse into Trump’s evolution from a young upstart to a self-centered tycoon, shedding light on his early career years working for his father’s business.