The lead actor of a controversial new Donald Trump biopic has remarked that the former president "should be thankful" for presenting a "nuanced, three-dimensional portrayal" of his life.

American actor Sebastian Stan steps into the role of Trump in The Apprentice, a film that delves into the mogul’s early days as a real estate figure in New York City.

Trump has threatened to initiate legal actions against the film's creators, dismissing it as "fabricated and tasteless," while expressing a desire for it to "flop" in cinemas.

The movie faced challenges in securing a US distributor, with the director describing the entire production journey as "the hardest thing I’ve ever undertaken."

The Apprentice is set against the backdrop of 1970s and 80s New York, where Trump was making a name for himself in the competitive business world.

Central to the narrative is Trump’s connection with his lawyer and mentor, Roy Cohn (portrayed by Jeremy Strong of Succession), who imparted key personal philosophies, including the idea of never admitting defeat.

Director Ali Abbasi told the BBC’s Lizo Mzimba that the challenging release process has been "by far the most difficult thing I've ever done," noting the hurdles of securing a distributor after the film's May debut.

"When we received a glowing reception at Cannes, including a standing ovation, I foresaw a bidding war, weighing between major studios like Warner or Netflix," Abbasi said.

However, his optimism quickly diminished as the quest for a distributor revealed itself to be "incredibly difficult," potentially owing in part to Trump’s threats of legal action.

The film finally secured its US release last week, though it has faced box office struggles so far.

The UK got its first look during the London Film Festival on Tuesday, with a wider release slated for Friday.

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Abbasi admitted that he was eager to ensure the film premiered prior to the US election on November 5, where Trump faces off against Kamala Harris, positioning the movie within the larger electoral discourse.

"We faced two options: either launch during a potential Trump presidency or in the election aftermath, or to release now,” Abbasi explained.

"From an artistic standpoint, releasing it now just feels more stimulating intellectually."

"I genuinely don't believe anyone has ever documented a candidate for office in real-time like this. It’s a rare opportunity, and I couldn’t let it slip."

He added: "Does that mean we aim to steer the US election in any direction? Honestly, I wish we possessed such power!"

Meanwhile, Strong entertained the notion that the film could influence public opinion.

"In some small measure, it might create a shift in how certain individuals perceive Trump, but it’s fundamentally more about telling a story, not an overt political act," he reflected.

The movie has received mixed reactions, sparking conversations around its potential chances at the Oscars.

Vanity Fair's Richard Lawson speculates that the film’s awards run could hinge on the election results.

"Should Trump win, the academy may distance itself from the film," Lawson commented on the Little Gold Men podcast.

"Should Harris prevail, it might allow people to revisit Trump's early years through a safer lens, detached from the immediate polarization."

If the film finds success during the awards season, Strong may find himself contending with Kieran Culkin, his co-star from Succession, for a supporting actor nomination.

Marvel star Stan sought to avoid portraying Trump as a caricature or exaggeration often depicted in comedic impersonations.

Rather, The Apprentice serves as a serious exploration into how Trump’s nature was shaped by Cohn.

Without relying on the typical mannerisms actors often associate with Trump, Stan’s portrayal of his character’s evolution across the film’s runtime becomes notably more impactful.

"Some audiences may wish The Apprentice pushed the boundaries further," observed Katie Walsh of the LA Times. "It humanizes Trump, but also illustrates how certain personalities can be molded into something monstrous."

By the movie’s conclusion, Cohn’s hand in shaping Trump is evident. For younger audiences, who may know Trump largely from his political career, these insights into his earlier days could be revealing.

Reflecting on the characters, Stan said: "Both Trump and Cohn are incredibly complex. In real life, people are rarely all good or all bad; everyone carries both flaws and redeeming features."

Strong echoed those sentiments in a BBC interview, noting, "The movie is, in a way, about Trump's creation—how his moral, political, and philosophical framework came to be, with so much of it tracing back to Roy Cohn. It's almost an origin story."

"We live in a hyper-polarized world where characters get labeled as heroes or villains, but that’s not how reality works,” Strong continued.

"As actors, our job isn’t to judge the characters but to reflect their complexity."

Stan concluded: "Honestly, I believe Trump should appreciate this portrayal. We’ve offered up a complex, three-dimensional portrayal of his life that I don’t think anyone else has delivered."

However, the depiction is far from sympathetic. In fact, Stan’s Trump becomes increasingly harsh toward others throughout the narrative, culminating in a controversial scene portraying the alleged rape of his then-wife, Ivana.

The backstory to this accusation is complicated—Ivana herself once accused Trump of rape during their 1990 divorce proceedings but later softened her stance.

In 2015, she recalled a particular encounter, noting that the usual "love and tenderness" in their relationship had been absent, leaving her feeling "violated." She elaborated that her use of the term "rape" was not meant to be taken literally or legally.

Ivana later dedicated her 2017 memoir to Trump, describing him as "a dear friend" and the father of their children. She passed away in 2022.

Trump has always denied the allegations, with his lawyer asserting the rape "never happened" and Trump’s legal team threatening to sue the film’s producers.

This week, Trump issued his response: "My late wife, Ivana, was a wonderful person, and we had a great relationship all through to her passing."

He continued, "It's sad that people filled with hatred, like those behind this (hopefully unsuccessful) movie, are allowed to say and do anything just to damage a political movement larger than any single individual."

Trump’s threats at Cannes dissuaded some potential buyers, though Briarcliff Entertainment ultimately picked it up for distribution in North America.

When asked about the sexual assault scene, Abbasi stated, "This moment is crucial as it's a pivotal character development. The tragedy of their relationship is far more significant than the controversy surrounding it."

Lead actress Maria Bakalova, delving into the role of Ivana, praised the depth of her character, saying, "Ivana was a forward-thinking woman. She wanted to be an equal partner in business, aside from her familial roles. Her influence on Trump is significant."