Donald Trump biopic “The Apprentice” to be released before the election

The distribution company — founded by Tom Ortenberg, a producer of the biographical poly drama “Spotlight” — is also planning an awards campaign around the film, which stars Sebastian Stan as the young Trump.

Stan, who is best known for his roles in the Marvel movies, portrays Trump during his rise as a New York real estate developer under the tutelage of influential lawyer and political fixer Roy Cohn (played by “Succession” actor Jeremy Strong).

The film was written by Vanity Fair journalist Gabriel Sherman and directed by Iranian-Danish director Ali Abbasi.

The latter took to X following the film’s Cannes debut to express his frustration that major US film studios and distributors seemed to be passing on the project, writing: “For some reason, certain powerful people in your country no” I don’t want you to see it!!!”

According to the Los Angeles Times, “The Apprentice” had already secured distribution in Canada, Europe and parts of Asia by the time Briarcliff Entertainment picked it up.

The film is said to feature scenes of “rape, erectile dysfunction, baldness and betrayal”.

Steven Cheung, a spokesman for the Trump campaign, said in a statement to The Associated Press on August 30 that the film’s release amounted to “election interference by Hollywood elites right before November.”

“This ‘film’ is pure malicious slander, should never see the light of day, and doesn’t even deserve a spot in the direct-to-DVD section of a bargain bin at a discount movie store that will be closing in soon. , belongs in a garbage fire,” he said.

A cease-and-desist letter was also sent to the filmmakers by Trump’s legal team in May, calling it “direct foreign interference in America’s elections.”

“If you do not immediately cease and desist from all distribution and marketing of this defamatory hoax, we will be forced to pursue all appropriate legal remedies,” attorney David Warrington wrote in the letter, which was obtained by Business Insider at the time.

Billionaire Trump supporter Dan Snyder was one of the film’s financial backers and believed the biopic would be favorable to the former president.

According to sources who spoke to Variety, Snyder was livid at the portrayal of Trump in the film when he saw part of the film for the first time in February.