**Ali Abbasi's "The Apprentice," a Donald Trump Biopic, Set for October Release**

Ali Abbasi's highly anticipated film "The Apprentice," a biopic on Donald Trump, is scheduled to be released in theaters on October 11. The film, which made its debut at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, was picked up for U.S. distribution by Briarcliff Entertainment three months post its premiere. Abbasi shared his enthusiasm about the release during the New York City premiere on October 8, expressing his eagerness to hear Trump's thoughts on the film. "Like anyone else who has made a movie about a public figure, I'd be thrilled to know his reaction," Abbasi commented to IndieWire.

Abbasi acknowledged that Trump's reaction could be mixed. "Will he love it? Probably not. Will he hate it? I don’t think so either. I genuinely believe he will see our intent to portray these characters as human beings. Whatever his opinion, I’d be excited to hear his thoughts," Abbasi stated. He also speculated that Trump might find inaccuracies to criticize.

The film has already sparked controversy, leading to legal threats from the Trump campaign to summer distributors due to a graphic scene where Sebastian Stan, who plays Trump, is depicted raping his first wife, Ivana. Addressing the gravity of the role, Abbasi noted that Stan had to carefully consider the implications. "He had to think about it seriously. It's a huge responsibility—not just portraying the character accurately, but also dealing with the social and political ramifications," Abbasi explained.

Abbasi also highlighted the timeliness of the film’s release, aligning it with an important election period. "We've been trying to get this done since 2018," he remarked, reflecting on how the film's debut was inevitably going to coincide with a significant electoral moment. The proximity to the upcoming election feels "a bit eerie."

"The Apprentice" hits theaters on October 11. Audience reactions and the potential political impact of the film remain to be seen.