Hollywood has always been a place for bold storytelling, but when it comes to Donald Trump's origin story, even some of the industry's biggest names have drawn the line. Ali Abbasi's “The Apprentice,” a biopic of Trump's early years, is set for release on October 11, 2024, thanks to Briarcliff Entertainment. But the film's journey to the big screen was anything but smooth.
Six years ago, Gabriel Sherman wrote the screenplay, and despite the current fascination with all things Trump, “The Apprentice” struggled to find its footing. According to Abbasi, many top-tier directors, including Clint Eastwood and Paul Thomas Anderson, were offered the project — both declined. Eastwood, known for his conservative leanings, might have seemed like an unusual fit, but Anderson's rejection raised more eyebrows. PTA has always been selective, so why would he gamble on such a polarizing subject?
It wasn't just directors who were hesitant. Every major Hollywood studio, from Netflix to Paramount, turned down “The Apprentice.” Even the industry's favorite indies like A24 and Focus Features steered clear. It seems that no one was willing to take the risk of attaching their name to a Trump-related project — not surprising given the saturation of Trump news over the past decade.
Still, the film made it into Abbasi's hands, and now, as it prepares for release, one question remains: is there an appetite for more Trump? With politics dominating the news cycle, will audiences shell out for a theatrical experience, or have we reached peak Trump fatigue?
Briarcliff Entertainment and its CEO, Tom Ortenberg, are betting big on the curiosity factor. But whether that gamble pays off remains to be seen.
What do you think? Will “The Apprentice” draw crowds, or is it just another politically charged film Hollywood isn't ready for?
