How’s this for intriguing? Deadline reports that Sebastian Stan will star as a young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice,” Ali Abbasi‘s feature follow-up to last year’s “Holy Spider.” And Stan isn’t the only big name to sign on to Abbasi’s new movie: “Succession” star Jeremy Strong is also on board to play attorney Roy Cohn, while Maria Bakalova will play Trump’s first wife, Ivanka.
READ MORE: ‘Holy Spider’ Review: Ali Abbasi’s Iranian True Crime Procedural Underhwelms [Cannes]
A Donald Trump biopic is the last thing anyone expected Abbasi to make after “Holy Spider,” but Stan as a young Trump could be a masterful casting choice. “The Apprentice” will focus on Trump building his real estate empire in NYC during the late ’70s and ’80s. Of course, his outsized ambition will also comes with corruption and deceit, as Cohn mentors Trump in building up his empire. But what’s most interesting about this project is its announcement as the former POTUS stands trial in New York for fraud. Trump is also the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 election despite two impeachments in his first presidential term.
“The Loudest Person In The Room” scribe Gabriel Sherman pens “The Apprentice” for Abbasi. Showtime made Sherman’s book about Fox News founder Roger Ailes into a miniseries with Russell Crowe as Ailes. Daniel Beckerman produces the film through Scythia Films, as does Jacob Jerek through Profile Pictures and Ruth Treacy through Taylored Films. Amy Baer, Sherman, and Grant Johnson serve as executive producers on the project.
Stan is in the middle of a career renaissance right now, fresh off roles in “Fresh,” “Pam & Tommy,” “Dumb Money,” and “Sharper.” Moviegoers may know him best as Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier in various MCU installments, but Stan’s recent work beyond Marvel remains impressive. Up next for Stan? The A24 thriller “A Different Man,” which should be in theaters next year.
Meanwhile, Strong is fresh off the hit HBO series “Succession,” which ended earlier this year. The actor hopes the third Emmy nomination is the charm for his lead role on that show. Other recent roles for Strong: “Armageddon Time,” “The Gentlement,” “The Trial Of The Chicago 7,” and “Serenity.” Strong will soon star in the Broadway revival of Henrik Ibsen‘s “An Enemy Of The People” for a 16-week run starting next March.
As for Bakalova, the actress hit the limelight with her Oscar-nominated role in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” in 2020. Since then, she’s starred in things as diverse as “Bodies Bodies Bodies,” “The Bubble,” and “Fairyland.” And Bakalova has several upcoming projects along with “The Apprentice,” including Jerry Seinfeld‘s Netflix movie “Unfrosted,” “O Horizon,” “Dirty Angels,” and “Triumph.” “Fairyland” should hit theaters next, as it premiered at Sundance this past January.
Since “Holy Spider,” Abbasi directed two episodes for the first season of HBO’s “The Last Of Us.” “Holy Spider,” about a female journalist investigated a serial killer in Iran, premiered at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, with star Zar Amir Ebrahimi winning Best Actress for her role. But despite high marks from critics, “Holy Spider” didn’t nab a nomination for Denmark for Best International Feature at the Oscars last year.
Maybe “The Apprentice” will succeed where “Holy Spider” failed for Abbasi. Expect production for this one to get underway soon, with a possible 2024 Awards season theatrical release.
