Sebastian Stan to Portray Young Donald Trump in ‘The Apprentice’ at Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival has unveiled a significant addition to its main competition lineup this year with “The Apprentice,” a narrative film that explores Donald Trump’s early professional life, decades before his presidency. The biopic, set to premiere in May, has caught the attention of audiences and critics alike, especially with the release of first looks showing actor Sebastian Stan’s transformation into the former U.S. president. This announcement shares the spotlight with other noteworthy films such as Jacques Audiard’s musical “Emilia Perez” and Francis Ford Coppola’s “Megalopolis.”
Key Facts About ‘The Apprentice’
Directed by Iranian-Danish filmmaker Ali Abbasi, “The Apprentice” delves into Trump’s efforts to establish his real estate empire in New York during the 1970s and 80s. Stan, renowned for his role as Bucky Barnes in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stars as a young Trump. The film also features Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn, Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump, and Martin Donovan as Fred Trump Sr. The screenplay, penned by Gabriel Sherman, promises to offer a deep dive into Trump’s ascent to power and his controversial dealings with Roy Cohn.
Background on Donald Trump’s Early Career
Trump began his career working for his father’s company, eventually renaming it the Trump Organization and shifting its focus to high-end Manhattan projects. His ventures into the casino business and other real estate developments are well-documented, though not without their financial troubles, leading to several bankruptcy filings. Despite these setbacks, Trump’s branding and licensing business remains a significant asset.
Forbes Valuation and Trump’s Financial Standing
As of this writing, Donald Trump’s net worth is estimated at $4.6 billion, placing him as the 697th richest person globally. This figure represents a notable increase following the public trading of Trump Media & Technology Group. However, the share price of this venture has experienced volatility since its debut.
Other Notable Biopics and Films at Cannes
“The Apprentice” is part of a diverse and intriguing lineup at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Other films generating buzz include “Deliver Me From Nowhere,” a biopic on Bruce Springsteen, and “A Complete Unknown,” featuring Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan. The festival will also host the premiere of a Michael Jackson film starring his nephew, Jaafar Jackson.
With “The Apprentice” set to make its world premiere at Cannes, questions abound regarding its portrayal of Donald Trump’s formative years and its reception by audiences and critics. Will this biopic offer new insights into the controversial figure’s rise to power, or will it spark further debate over his legacy? Only time will tell as the film industry and viewers alike await its debut with bated breath.