Lawyers for former President Donald Trump have reportedly served a cease and desist letter on the filmmakers. apprentice In an attempt to block the film’s release, it warned producers not to pursue domestic distribution deals.
The existence of this letter Confirmed From two anonymous sources variety, The excerpt is Obtained By the deadline.
“While the film is portrayed as a factual biography of Mr. Trump, nothing is further from the truth,” the letter, sent to director Ali Abbasi and screenwriter Gabriel Sherman on May 22, reportedly read.
The letter continues:
“This is a fabrication of lies that repeatedly defame President Trump and constitutes direct foreign interference in an American election. If the distribution and sale of this defamatory farce is not immediately halted, we will be forced to pursue all appropriate legal remedies.”
“You must respond by May 27, 2024 with an immediate agreement to comply with this demand. President Trump reserves all rights.”
apprentice“, which had its world premiere in competition at the Cannes Film Festival this week, was made and financed independently, primarily through international companies and some domestic investors, outside the Hollywood studio system.
Since its Cannes premiere, the film has sparked fierce controversy over its portrayal of a young Trump (played by actor Sebastian Stan) and his rise to power beginning in the ’70s.
One scene shows Trump raping his first wife, Ivana, an alleged incident that she has denied, while others show him undergoing plastic surgery and liposuction.
apprentice The company has yet to sign a domestic distribution deal, and any potential buyer, whether it’s a major streaming company or a boutique theatrical label, would need to consider the potential costs of a drawn-out legal battle with President Trump.
Iranian-born director Ali Abbasi said he hopes his film will be released in the United States before the November presidential election, specifically during the presidential debates.
The film’s producers responded to the injunction by saying: variety“The film is a fair and balanced portrayal of the former president,” they said. “We encourage everyone to watch it and make their own judgment.”
Breitbart News reported that the Trump campaign ApprenticeFollowing the film’s premiere in Cannes.
“We intend to file lawsuits to address the demonstrably false claims made by these fake filmmakers,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang said. “This garbage is a complete fabrication that sensationalizes lies that were long ago debunked.”
Chan also called the film a “malicious slander.”
apprentice Co-star Inheritance Jeremy Strong stars as Roy Cohn. Borat 2 Actress Maria Bakalova will play Ivana Trump and Martin Donovan will play family patriarch Fred Trump.
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