Acclaimed filmmaker Ali Abbasi, director of The Apprentice, has been dropped by his U.S. representatives CAA and Management 360 following a groping allegation made by an A-list actor.
Variety confirmed that Abbasi’s dismissal comes after an alleged incident at Chateau Marmont following this year’s Golden Globes. According to a Deadline report, Abbasi was accused of groping an unnamed actor at what was described as a CAA-affiliated afterparty. However, sources told Variety that the event was not an official CAA gathering. The alleged victim is also represented by CAA.
A representative for Abbasi declined to comment but refuted claims that law firm Granderson des Rochers had dropped him, stating that he had never been their client.
The Apprentice and Awards Season Controversy
Abbasi’s film, The Apprentice, which chronicles Donald Trump’s rise in the 1980s under the mentorship of lawyer Roy Cohn, has been a dark horse in this year’s awards season. Despite a well-received Cannes premiere, the film struggled to find mainstream distribution amid Trump’s ongoing presidential campaign.
Stars Sebastian Stan, who portrays Trump, and Jeremy Strong, who plays Cohn, have earned critical acclaim, both securing Oscar nominations for their performances.
Abbasi’s future in Hollywood remains uncertain following these developments.
Source: Variety