Actor Sebastian Stan has opened up about the intense preparation that went into playing a young Donald Trump in the upcoming film 'The Apprentice'. The film, which delves into Trump’s rise in New York's cutthroat real estate world, is already being touted as one of 2024’s most anticipated non-biopics.
Stan, who portrays Trump during his early years, described the all-consuming nature of stepping into the role. “Playing real people requires a technical approach that’s absolutely essential—you have to immerse yourself in them constantly,” Stan explained. “Whenever I was in the car, walking, shopping, or even with family or friends, I was listening to him and watching him non-stop. I had footage playing over and over. For me, there’s no way of embodying someone until it becomes part of every moment.”
Directed by Ali Abbasi in his English-language debut, 'The Apprentice' boasts a star-studded cast, including Jeremy Strong as Trump’s mentor and lawyer Roy Cohn, and Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump. The film focuses on Trump’s early career in the 1970s and 1980s, when his business dealings and personal relationships helped shape his rise to power.
Jeremy, known for his role in 'Succession', plays the notorious Roy Cohn, a lawyer with a controversial and complex reputation. Strong shed light on Cohn’s character and his influence on Trump, describing him as “vicious, ruthless, and cruel.” He added, “Roy loved telling people that Donald was his ‘best friend.’ He was a man filled with inner emptiness, shoring up his self-hatred and shame with a desire for clout and power. Despite his flaws, Roy sought love, and I believe he found, then lost, that in his relationship with Donald Trump.”
The film slated for its release in India on October 18, explores the gritty underworld of New York’s business scene, portraying how Trump’s rise was fueled by his complex and often dangerous alliance with Roy Cohn. It also sheds light on the darker forces that shaped Trump’s early career, offering a unique glimpse into the relationships that would eventually lead to his prominence in American politics.
