Inside the Fight to Release The Apprentice
The Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, was one of the hottest tickets at Cannes in 2023, but its release has been fraught with challenges. The film, written by Gabriel Sherman, chronicles Trump’s rise in the gritty ’70s and ‘80s New York real estate scene under the mentorship of controversial lawyer Roy Cohn. Starring Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Cohn, the film’s provocative content—especially a scene depicting sexual assault—sparked immediate controversy. Following its premiere, Trump announced his intention to sue to block its release, citing “malicious defamation” and “election interference.”
The film’s political nature led to hesitation among distributors, compounded by Trump’s legal threats. Despite early buzz, no major Hollywood studio stepped forward to acquire the film for U.S. distribution. This delay reflected the industry’s apprehension, particularly in the polarized political climate of post-January 6, where supporting such a controversial film could lead to lawsuits or backlash from Trump supporters.
Sherman had envisioned The Apprentice as a Shakespearean tragedy, portraying Trump’s complex and ruthless rise to power, molded by Cohn’s dark tutelage. The film draws from real-life events, including allegations from Trump’s first wife, Ivana, about sexual assault, details from Harry Hurt III’s biography Lost Tycoon, and other shocking moments such as Trump’s cosmetic surgeries. The film offered a stark, unflinching look at the early life of Trump and his mentor, making it a uniquely dangerous project.
Securing financing for the movie was also a battle. Many stars turned down roles for fear of giving “humanity” to Trump. However, Stan, Strong, and Borat actress Maria Bakalova signed on, and the movie was eventually financed through a series of international presales. Yet, even after production wrapped, the film faced more obstacles when Trump’s legal team issued cease-and-desist letters to director Ali Abbasi and Sherman, trying to prevent its release.
An unexpected twist came when a wealthy investor, Mark Rapaport, connected to Trump donor Dan Snyder, helped finance the project. Although Snyder’s involvement raised eyebrows, his contributions allowed the film to move forward. Still, internal battles raged over controversial scenes, especially a dramatization of Ivana Trump’s assault allegations. This tension culminated in legal threats from Rapaport himself, who tried to stop the Cannes premiere due to disagreements over content.
Eventually, after months of uncertainty, Briarcliff Entertainment, a smaller company known for releasing politically charged films, agreed to distribute The Apprentice in the U.S. Despite this breakthrough, Rapaport continued to delay the deal, hoping for a better offer, which nearly resulted in a catch-and-kill scenario. The film narrowly avoided being buried when two investors bought out Rapaport’s stake, and the film finally secured its American premiere at the Telluride Film Festival, with a nationwide release set for October 11, 2023.
The Apprentice is not just a film; it’s a reflection of the legal, political, and cultural battles that continue to shape America. With its daring portrayal of Trump, and the shadow of Roy Cohn looming large, the movie stands as a testament to the complexities of bringing politically charged art to life in today’s divided world.
THE CINEMA GROUP - YOUR PREMIER SOURCE FOR THE LATEST IN FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT NEWS. FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA @THECINEMAGROUP.
