The highly debated film “The Apprentice” on Donald Trump is set for a pre-election U.S. release despite financier disputes.
At a Glance
- “The Apprentice” is a biopic about Donald Trump’s rise as a real estate mogul in the 1980s.
- The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and received an almost eight-minute standing ovation.
- Trump’s campaign has condemned the film, naming it “garbage” and “malicious defamation.”
- Dan Snyder, a Trump supporter, invested $5M into the film and expressed concerns over its representation.
- Director Ali Abbasi stated he is willing to discuss the film with Trump.
“The Apprentice” Prepares for U.S. Release Amid Controversies
“The Apprentice,” a biographical film chronicling Donald Trump’s rise to prominence in the 1980s, is scheduled for a pre-election release on October 11 through Briarcliff Entertainment. Despite the film’s financier disputes involving Kinematics and its Trump-supporting backer Dan Snyder, the release remains in motion. Kinematics, having contributed $5 million to the project, is allegedly being compensated with an additional $2 million premium to settle the contention.
Premiering earlier this year at the Cannes Film Festival, “The Apprentice” received acclaim, marked by an almost eight-minute standing ovation. Directed by Ali Abbasi and written by Gabe Sherman, the movie depicts Trump’s ascent from a young playboy in the 1970s to a powerful real estate magnate. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, the film has garnered praise for its storytelling and performances.
Trump Campaign’s Objection
Trump’s campaign has staunchly criticized the film, branding it as “garbage,” “lies,” and “malicious defamation.” One particularly controversial scene depicts Trump raping his then-wife, Ivana Trump—an allegation both parties have denied. Ivana had initially accused Trump of marital rape in a 1990 deposition but retracted the claim in 2015. Reflecting the campaign’s sentiment, Trump’s team intends to file a lawsuit against the filmmakers for what they argue are blatantly false assertions about Trump’s life and actions.
Director’s Stance and Legal Concerns
In response to the lawsuit threats, director Ali Abbasi expressed his willingness to discuss the film directly with Trump. Abbasi remains firm in maintaining the film’s integrity without legal edits, despite the contentious scenes. The production has been carefully vetted by legal experts to avoid potential lawsuits, yet Trump’s team is pushing forward with their legal challenge, adding a layer of uncertainty to the film’s U.S. release prospects. Various U.S. distributors have shown interest, and a deal announcement is anticipated soon.
International Premiere and Future Rollout
While the U.S. release faces hurdles, “The Apprentice” has successfully sold to key independent distributors across numerous international markets. Rocket Science, the film’s international sales firm, has secured deals for release in Italy, Spain, Scandinavia, Benelux, Greece, Portugal, Eastern Europe, Japan, Latin America, Israel, Airlines, and Australia & New Zealand, with final negotiations underway in Russia.
Deals for significant markets such as the UK, France, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Canada have also been confirmed. Abbasi tweeted concept artwork for the movie with the caption “Make Posters Great Again,” highlighting the ongoing promotional efforts despite looming legal issues within the United States.
