Luca Guadagnino's upcoming film 'Artificial', starring Andrew Garfield as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, remains without a distributor after Amazon MGM unexpectedly abandoned the project earlier this month. According to Variety, Netflix, A24, and Focus Features have all passed on acquiring the film despite screening the nearly completed project. However, Mubi has emerged as the leading contender to pick up the rights, with discussions ongoing.
Film Details and Plot
Written by Simon Rich and directed by Guadagnino, 'Artificial' dramatizes the events surrounding Altman's brief removal from OpenAI in November 2023 and his rapid return to the company days later. The cast includes Monica Barbaro as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, Yura Borisov as co-founder Ilya Sutskever, and Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk. The film reportedly cost around $40 million to produce and has already undergone test screenings.
Amazon MGM's Decision and Speculation
Amazon MGM originally backed the film but abandoned it despite being deep into post-production. The decision came shortly after Amazon's parent company strengthened its relationship with OpenAI through a multibillion-dollar investment and expanded partnership. Although Amazon has denied any connection between those developments and dropping the film, the timing has prompted speculation across Hollywood. Guadagnino, whose recent credits include 'Challengers' and 'After the Hunt', was reportedly caught off guard by Amazon's move after receiving strong support throughout production.
Future Prospects
With Netflix, A24, and Focus Features out of the running, Mubi appears to be in pole position to rescue the project. A deal has yet to be finalized, but producers remain hopeful that 'Artificial' will soon secure a new home. The film had initially been earmarked for an awards-season release before a wider launch in early 2027.
