Sebastian Stan wanted his portrayal of Donald Trump in The Apprentice to stand apart from previous depictions of the former president. When the actor was cast in the role, he dove deep into researching Trump’s early years, particularly his time in the 1970s and ’80s, absorbing as much footage and interviews as possible. Stan’s goal was to understand the man before the media magnified him into the polarizing figure we know today.
Speaking with Yahoo Entertainment, Stan revealed that what he discovered was not what many might expect, given Trump’s current status as a public figure. “Looking back on some of those earlier interviews with him… there was something pure and honest,” Stan said. “There was great potential that I saw in that person at that time.” This insight was particularly striking considering the contrast between Trump’s younger self and the image that emerged later, shaped by the influence of lawyer Roy Cohn.
Stan explained that under Cohn’s mentorship, Trump became increasingly “brutal” and lost touch with his earlier, more empathetic self. He described this shift as “tragic,” as the loss of humanity in Trump’s development was evident to him. The film’s writer, Gabriel Sherman, who had extensively covered Trump’s life before his presidency, mirrors this transformation through the progression of the character.
As the movie unfolds, Stan’s portrayal evolves to reflect the persona Trump built over time, shifting from a young, ambitious businessman to the aggressive figure that would later dominate headlines. “The success kept growing, so did the persona and the brand,” Stan said. “At the end of the day, it’s more of a shtick… more conscious than subconscious.”
Stan worked closely with director Ali Abbasi to carefully map this evolution, ensuring it was digestible for an audience already filled with preconceptions about Trump. Abbasi, a filmmaker with an outsider’s perspective, emphasized a raw and unfiltered approach to the story. While he may not have known much about Trump initially, Abbasi wanted to depict the character without reverence, looking at Trump through an anthropological lens rather than a critical one.
Despite the film’s controversial nature, especially with Trump’s legal team sending a cease-and-desist letter after the film’s Cannes premiere, Abbasi believed the film was well-researched and balanced. He was surprised by the strong reactions but stood by the movie, which was based on solid journalistic work. After struggling to secure a distributor, The Apprentice opened to a modest $1.6 million at the box office, but Abbasi found a silver lining. He pointed out on social media that more people watched the movie over the weekend than attended a full week of Trump rallies.
Overall, Stan’s portrayal of Trump shows a man shaped by his early ambition, later consumed by a brand that eclipsed his original self. The film explores this fascinating transition while challenging the audience to consider the full picture of Trump’s complex persona.
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