Luca Guadagnino’s biographical drama about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman just can’t find a distributor. Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.’ Clockwork have all passed on picking up “Artificial,” the film about Altman’s ouster and dramatic rehiring at OpenAI.
Only Neon and Mubi are still said to be interested. But the situation raises an uncomfortable question: does Hollywood still have the courage to tell critical stories about Big Tech?
The film’s postproduction was nearly finished when Amazon MGM — which had been set to distribute — unexpectedly dropped it last week. That’s a surprising move for a project this far along, especially one from a director of Guadagnino’s caliber.
The timing is notable. Amazon’s withdrawal came shortly after reports that Sam Altman had been in discussions with Amazon about AI partnerships. Whether there’s a connection is speculation, but the optics aren’t great.
The film, titled “Artificial,” covers the turbulent period when Altman was fired from OpenAI by the board, only to be rehired days later amid massive employee backlash and pressure from Microsoft, the company’s biggest investor.
Guadagnino is known for “Call Me by Your Name” and “Challengers” — not exactly the kind of director studios typically shy away from. That his film about one of tech’s most powerful figures can’t find a home says something about the current relationship between Hollywood and Silicon Valley.
