Sebastian Stan’s Transformation into a Young Donald Trump in “The Apprentice”

Sebastian Stan, known for his diverse roles in film and television, takes on one of his most challenging characters yet in the upcoming movie “The Apprentice.” In this film, he portrays a young and ambitious Donald Trump, showcasing his rise to prominence. The film also features award-winning actor Jeremy Strong as Trump’s notorious lawyer, Roy Cohn, and Oscar-nominated Maria Bakalova as Ivana Trump.

In preparation for his role, Stan immersed himself in Trump’s early life, emphasizing the importance of instinct and collaboration in shaping his performance. In a recent interview with CNN, he remarked, “I think instinct is everything, and collaboration. You have to look at what serves the story and the character without judgment—embracing the good, the bad, and the ugly.”

To deliver an authentic portrayal, Stan noted the necessity of detaching from the overwhelming “noise” surrounding Trump, especially given the current political climate. “You have to detach from fear and all of the noise that’s surrounding us at this time,” he said, highlighting how this focus aided his performance.

The film also delves into the complex character of Roy Cohn, who has been depicted in various works, including last year’s Emmy-nominated series “Fellow Travelers” and the acclaimed HBO miniseries “Angels in America,” where he was portrayed by Al Pacino. Jeremy Strong shared that his interpretation of Cohn came through an obsessive process of study, describing it as a journey of “osmosis.” He spent extensive time analyzing footage of Cohn to capture his essence.

“You become obsessed with it until it overtakes you,” Strong explained. He aimed to understand Cohn holistically, noting the depth of his character, including his inner turmoil and contradictions. “Your job is to learn and understand these people fully and dimensionally, and then you just walk onto the set,” he added, emphasizing a natural approach to embodying the character.

As with any project related to Trump, “The Apprentice” has sparked controversy. Following the film’s premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, Trump’s team expressed concerns, with a spokesperson describing the film as “pure fiction” that sensationalizes lies. “This garbage is pure fiction which sensationalizes lies that have been long debunked,” said Steven Cheung, a Trump campaign spokesperson.

Director Ali Abbasi also acknowledged the challenges of bringing “The Apprentice” to audiences, particularly in organizing the film’s sprawling narrative, which involves multiple key characters. “Some of the most difficult ones were how to organize this story,” he noted, stressing the importance of clarity amidst the complexity.

To address these challenges, Abbasi decided to concentrate on the pivotal relationship between Stan’s Trump and Strong’s Cohn. “We want to focus on this very specific relationship, the transformational relationship between him and Roy,” he explained. This focus allowed the filmmakers to structure the story around their dynamic, providing a clear narrative thread that guides viewers through the film.

“The Apprentice” ultimately aims to depict Trump’s transformation into the figure that the public recognizes today, rooted in his connection with Cohn. This specific angle allows the film to explore the nuances of power, influence, and ambition in a captivating manner.

Now showing in theaters, “The Apprentice” promises to offer an intriguing glimpse into the formative years of one of America’s most controversial figures, delivered through the performances of Stan and Strong. With its exploration of character relationships and personal transformation, the film invites viewers to reconsider the dynamics of ambition and morality in the context of Trump’s early rise.