In a surprising turn of events, the highly anticipated Donald Trump biopic, "The Apprentice," is set to hit theaters on October 11th, just weeks before the upcoming presidential election. The film, which garnered attention after its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, has been picked up for theatrical distribution by Briarcliff Entertainment.

Starring Sebastian Stan as the real estate mogul turned reality TV star and politician, alongside Jeremy Strong as Trump's notorious attorney and mentor Roy Cohn, "The Apprentice" has already stirred up controversy with its unflattering portrayal of the former president. Directed by Iranian filmmaker Ali Abbasi, the movie takes audiences through Trump's ruthless rise to prominence in the New York of the 1970s and '80s.

With its inclusion rumored at the Telluride Film Festival, "The Apprentice" may soon have its North American debut, allowing the audience to form their own opinions about the film. However, the release comes with a fair share of opposition, particularly from the Trump campaign.

Described by The Times as "hypnotically trashy," the movie presents Trump as a sleazy and cruel social climber. It showcases instances such as turning his back on his alcoholic brother, allegations of rape against his first wife, Ivana (played by Maria Bakalova), and even undergoing liposuction and hair loss treatments.

Following the film's unveiling, Trump campaign communications director, Steven Cheung, condemned it as "garbage" and "pure fiction," vowing to file a lawsuit against the filmmakers to stop its release. Cheung argues that the film is defamatory and lacks any basis in reality.

However, director Ali Abbasi defended his work, emphasizing the need to make movies political again. Abbasi also remarked on Trump's tendency to sue people, asserting that the focus should be on his success rate rather than his litigious endeavors.

Despite facing uncertainty in the U.S. due to concerns from studios, streamers, and indie distributors, "The Apprentice" has managed to secure distribution rights in Canada, Europe, and parts of Asia. After months of negotiations, Briarcliff Entertainment finally stepped up to secure domestic distribution rights for the controversial film.

The potential inclusion of "The Apprentice" in the Telluride Film Festival adds further intrigue to the program already heavy with politically charged issues. Notable political figures, including Hillary and Chelsea Clinton, as well as Democratic strategist James Carville, are expected to attend the festival and support documentaries that tackle sensitive topics such as abortion rights and political strategies.

"The Apprentice" promises to be a thought-provoking and contentious film, eager to challenge the public's perception of the former president. As the release date approaches, the controversy surrounding the movie is poised to intensify, with critics and supporters on both sides eagerly awaiting its arrival in theaters.