The first clip from "The Apprentice," a new biopic about former President Trump's rise in the real estate industry, was released Tuesday, offering the public a first glimpse of the film ahead of its October release.
The minute-long clip features a young Trump, played by Sebastian Stan, being driven in New York City alongside his attorney and mentor Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong. The young Trump is seen taking a call from a reporter for an exclusive interview, during which he discusses his plans to acquire the Commodore Hotel in New York.
“Listen, Judy, about 100 reporters were crawling up my ass to get this interview, and I gave you the exclusive,” Strong, as Cohn, says in the clip before passing the phone to Trump.
“I intend to acquire The Commodore, I’m planning on making it the best and the finest building in the city, maybe the country,” Stan, as Trump, says. “In the world, Judy, in the world. It’s going to be the finest building in the world.”
The young Trump says the hotel will be "absolutely spectacular, first class" and touts himself as having "flair" and the smarts to make him successful. Cohn, next to him, motions with his hands and mouths words for Trump to use.
The clip comes nearly a month before the film's U.S. and Canadian release on Oct. 11 ahead of the November election. Briarcliff Entertainment will roll out the release.
“The Apprentice,” directed by Iranian Danish filmmaker Ali Abbassi, premiered in May at the Cannes Film Festival, where it reportedly received an eight-minute standing ovation but did not clinch any awards.
The film was heavily criticized by Trump's team and Steven Cheung, communications director for the former president, described it as "pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked."
In May, a lawyer for Trump sent a cease-and-desist letter to the filmmakers, seeking to block the movie's release. His team also threatened to file a suit for what it claimed were "blatantly false assertions."
The filmmakers on Tuesday launched a Kickstarter called "Release the Apprentice" to “keep the film in as many theaters for as long as possible,” according to a press release, per Variety.
"The obstacles we have faced releasing this movie are well documented. Our distribution was blocked," the Kickstarter's page states. "We were hit with a cease and desist from Trump's lawyers. Major media companies were afraid to show you this movie. Releasing this movie has become a DAVID and GOLIATH struggle, but with your support, you can help #ReleaseTheApprentice."
As of Tuesday afternoon, the fundraising campaign raised more than $39,000.
