"Timeline Drama: Trump's Life on Screen Sparks Controversy"

Sebastian Stan portrays Donald Trump in a controversial film about his early years, offering a complex view that the actor suggests Trump should appreciate, despite criticisms and legal threats from the former president.

Actor Sebastian Stan stars as Donald Trump in the controversial new film "The Apprentice," which depicts Trump's rise as a real estate tycoon in New York during the 1970s and 80s. The actor claims the film provides a complex, nuanced portrayal of Trump, suggesting he "should be grateful" for such a multi-dimensional representation of his life. Despite this, Trump has called the film "fake and classless," threatening legal action against its producers. The film, directed by Ali Abbasi, features Jeremy Strong as Trump's infamous mentor Roy Cohn. Facing distribution challenges, the film struggled to secure a release in the United States, but eventually saw a limited theatrical release. Abbasi aimed to release it before the U.S. election to ensure it played a part in public discourse. Notably, the film features a contentious scene depicting an alleged assault on Trump's then-wife Ivana, a charge Trump has denied. Though the scene has sparked controversy, Abbasi defends it as essential to understanding Trump's complex character dynamics. The film opens broadly in the UK, following a premiere at the London Film Festival, as it vies for a place in the Oscars conversation amid mixed reviews. Trump, meanwhile, has derided those involved in the movie, emphasizing his stance against what he perceives as an attack on his political legacy.