Ali Abbasi Reveals How “Numerous Prosthetic Tests” Went Into Authentically Depicting Donald Trump’s Transformation In The Apprentice

MUMBAI: PVRINOX Pictures is all set for the release of The Apprentice , a gripping historical drama directed by award-winning filmmaker Ali Abbasi, hitting theatres across India on October 18th. Set against the backdrop of 1970s New York, the film chronicles the journey of a young Donald Trump, brought to life by Sebastian Stan, as he navigates the real estate world under the ruthless guidance of a notorious attorney and political fixer Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong.

The Apprentice traces Donald J. Trump's quest to escape his father's influence, highlighting how Roy Cohn's relentless methods—deception, media manipulation, and intimidation—propelled him to the spotlight. As Trump evolved into a formidable force in American business and politics, the film lays the foundation for his future presidential ambitions.

Director Ali Abbasi approached Sebastian Stan’s transformation into a young Donald Trump with meticulous attention to detail, to ensure it reflected the real-life physical alterations Trump underwent during the 1980s. Recounting the process of achieving the ideal look, Abbasi shares, “ We tried a lot of different approaches with Donald—we did numerous prosthetic tests.”

In order to authentically portray Trump's evolution on screen, Abbasi emphasized capturing the nuances of his persona beyond physical traits. He adds, “ We realized that if we get too close to him, we’re in Saturday Night Live territory. If we get too far away, you don’t really feel [like it’s him]. There is a part of him that’s instantly recognizable, so you had to distill some of those characteristics within a package that is not [trying to be completely identical to him]. It’s not important that you nail the exact same hairdo of Donald, but it’s important that you get the impression and the same roughness. You had to recreate him in another body in a way. ”

Throughout the 1980s, Donald Trump underwent numerous cosmetic changes, including his hair, style, and overall appearance, constantly evolving to match his rising fame. Abbasi’s approach to Sebastian Stan’s portrayal of Trump in The Apprentice encapsulates these transformations, authentically capturing both the physical and intangible elements that made him such an iconic figure in contemporary American history. Abbasi ensured that every aspect of Trump’s transformation was reflected in the film, from his changing hairstyles and mannerisms to the rough, larger-than-life persona he cultivated.

Witness the rise to prominence of one of American history’s most controversial figures with The Apprentice, releasing in theaters on October 18th!