‘The Apprentice’ Movie: 5 Must-Know Facts About Sebastian Stan’s Role as Donald Trump

Sebastian Stan takes on the role of a young Donald Trump, marking another bold step in his impressive acting career. While most fans know him as Bucky Barnes from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where he first appeared in Captain America: The First Avenger, Stan has proven himself as one of the most versatile actors in Hollywood. From his darkly comedic turn in I, Tonya to his haunting performance in A Different Man, Stan isn’t afraid to push boundaries—making him the perfect fit to portray the early years of Trump’s rise to power.

Joining Stan is Succession star Jeremy Strong, who plays Trump’s infamous mentor and lawyer, Roy Cohn. Strong, who snagged an Emmy in 2020 for his work on Succession, is known for delivering powerful, nuanced performances both on stage and screen. In 2024, he earned a Tony nomination for his role in An Enemy of the People on Broadway, further cementing his status as a top-tier talent.

And then there’s Maria Bakalova, the breakout star from Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, who steps into the role of Ivana Trump, Donald’s first wife. With her Academy Award-nominated performance in Borat and her recent appearance in Bodies Bodies Bodies, Bakalova brings the perfect blend of wit and depth to Ivana, a key figure during Trump’s early business years. Together, this powerhouse cast is sure to bring the drama and intensity to The Apprentice.

The film’s premise dives into the making of the man behind the brand: a young, ambitious Donald Trump, determined to step out of the shadow of his wealthy family in 1970s New York. Hungry for success and eager to make a name for himself, Trump falls under the sway of Roy Cohn, a ruthless attorney whose mentorship would shape the future real estate mogul—and, ultimately, the Donald Trump we know today. It’s a high-stakes game of power and manipulation that lays the foundation for Trump’s rise to fame.

The film first premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May, the movie made headlines for the shocking moments on screen. One scene that elicited a reaction of audible gasps is Trump getting liposuction. There is also a scene that shows Trump raping his first wife Ivana which has caused great controversy.

Despite these controversial moments, the film still did receive some positive reviews. Critics largely praised Sebastian Stan’s performance of Trump without making the character feel too much like a parody.

Studios were hesitant to touch The Apprentice, given the intense controversy surrounding Donald Trump, especially in today’s heated political climate. With the film set to release during an election year, the intrigue around it has only intensified.

In June 2024, the project hit a roadblock as it struggled to secure a domestic distributor, largely due to concerns over its sensitive content and legal pressure from Trump’s team to stop its release. Despite these challenges, Briarcliff Entertainment stepped in and secured the film, with a release date now set for October 11, 2024. Expect the film to spark plenty of conversation when it hits theaters!

While Trump has not personally addressed the film, his team has expressed strong opinions. Following the premiere at Cannes, Steven Cheung, a communications director for the Trump campaign, announced that they would be “filing a lawsuit to counter the blatantly false claims made by these so-called filmmakers.”

Despite the potential legal threats, the film’s director seemed unfazed during a press conference on May 21. He pointed out that while people often mention Trump’s tendency to sue, they rarely discuss his success rate with those lawsuits. He added that he doesn’t necessarily believe Trump would dislike the movie, suggesting he might even be “surprised” by it. “I’d be happy to meet with him wherever he wants to discuss the film and hold a screening if anyone from the Trump campaign is interested,” he said.

“The Apprentice” is out in theaters on October 11.

Follow Popviewers on MSN to see more exclusive entertainment content.