Just days after its domestic theatrical debut, Ali Abbasi’s new Donald Trump biopic starring MCU darling Sebastian Stan is stirring up yet another controversy. At the BFI London Film Festival where The Apprenticepremiered for U.K. audiences, Stan openly criticized Trump for attempting to censor the movie, even calling the former president’s actions “hypocritical” since Trump’s political campaign has famously distinguished itself with claims of protecting free speech.
With less than three weeks until the U.S. presidential elections, it’s safe to say that The Apprentice is a sore subject for Donald Trump. The film is a rather revealing expose of Trump’s rise to power and subsequent transformation from ruthless business mogul to Republican politician during the 1970s and ’80s, and supposedly spotlights some of the more vulnerable moments in Trump’s life. In fact, The Apprentice very nearly failed to obtain U.S. distribution thanks to a cease-and-desist letter from Trump’s team after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in May of this year, likely due to scenes painting the former president in a less-than-optimal light. In short, Trump has certainly been doing his best to block The Apprentice from the big screen — and now the film’s leading man has something to say about it.
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Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Stan didn’t hold back from condemning Trump’s treatment of T he Apprentice. “He’s been trying to censor this movie, and at the same time, he claims that he acknowledges free speech… I can’t think of anything more hypocritical,” Stan stated. Abbasi has also stated previously that the events depicted in The Apprentice were “accurate and double and triple, quadruple checked journalistically and legally,” meaning that any issues Trump might have with the film’s content were subjective only, not based on disagreements with the facts. However, when asked if the film had the potential to sway undecided voters during the election, Stan offered a much more neutral answer.
I don’t know, but what I do hope is that people, regardless of their opinion, are curious enough to try to dig deeper. Because I think we’re living in a world where it’s so easy to be handed an opinion everywhere you turn. And I know a lot of people love social media, and that’s where they go for information and for things. You’re being told what to think. You’re being told what to do.
A Slow Start for The Apprentice Could Transform Into a Success
After so many efforts to block its release, including major networks like ABC and CBS deciding not to air The Apprentice despite multiple planned T.V. spots, it’s no wonder that the controversial biopic is off to a slower start. Releasing in approximately 1,700 U.S. theaters last weekend, The Apprentice earned only $1.6 million at the box office — which was just enough to earn it a spot in the top ten. Despite these numbers, however, the film has earned relatively positive reviews as well as a 79% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with critics praising it as “disturbing,” “grotesque,” and “darkly comedic.” One reviewer stated:
Living in the time of Trump feels a lot like watching
The Apprentice
: we’re laughing because everything about this shameless, cruel narcissist feels absurd and surreal, until we’re violently reminded of who – and what – he is.
Although certainly an unwanted side effect, The Apprentice has also received plenty of free publicity from Donald Trump himself. So much controversy is bound to attract more viewers, especially given how much Trump tends to talk about the things he doesn’t like. In fact, a post on Truth Social has already summarized Trump’s strong feelings about the film, drawing more audiences’ attention to The Apprentice without a single cent spent on advertising.