Filming has commenced for ‘The Apprentice,’ a biopic delving into the ascent of former US President Donald Trump, spotlighting his journey from a New York real estate magnate to fame and power. The narrative will particularly explore his association with Roy Cohn, the controversial attorney who initially mentored Trump but faced disbarment due to ethical violations.
It is being directed by Ali Abbasi, who is acclaimed for his 2022 thriller ‘Holy Spider’ and is also known for directing the final two episodes of the popular video game adaptation ‘The Last of Us’. The film boasts a stellar cast with Sebastian Stan portraying a young Trump.
Jeremy Strong, who won an Emmy for his role in ‘Succession’, will play Cohn.
Maria Bakalova will play Ivana, Trump’s first wife.
The screenplay of the forthcoming film is penned by Gabriel Sherman, the journalist and author behind ‘The Loudest Voice in the Room,’ a biography of Fox News' founder Roger Ailes, which was adapted into a 2019 miniseries starring Russell Crowe.
The film’s logline describes it as ‘a mentor-protege story that charts the origins of an American dynasty’ and ‘reveals the moral and human cost of a culture defined by winners and losers’.
Set in the 1970s and 80s, the film will show how Trump learned the art of deal-making and manipulation from Cohn, who was a key figure in the McCarthy era and the AIDS crisis. Cohn was also Trump’s lawyer in several lawsuits and advised him on his political ambitions.
Despite Trump's impeachment on two occasions and his facing 91 felony charges across four separate criminal cases, current polls suggest he may run for president again in 2024. Additionally, he is embroiled in a high-profile fraud trial in Manhattan.
The film aims to explore the roots of his polarizing persona and examine the formation of his legacy.