It's a blockbuster biopic that's just been dropped - and it's not because it's going straight to streaming. Luca Guadagnino's 'Artificial', the highly anticipated film about Sam Altman, has been ditched by Amazon, leaving fans of the project wondering what went wrong. The tech giant's decision comes as they cement a major partnership with OpenAI, where Altman is CEO - raising questions about whether artistic freedom can survive in a world where corporate interests are king.
Amazon confirmed the move in a statement, saying 'Artificial' would be better off without them and that they're working with the filmmakers to find a new home. But this isn't just any old biopic - it's a $15 billion deal between Amazon and OpenAI that's got everyone talking. The tech mogul has been snapped up by the e-commerce giant, with a further $35 billion on the table if certain conditions are met. And let's not forget the cloud computing agreement from last year, which saw Amazon shell out a whopping $38 billion for the privilege of partnering with OpenAI.
So what did 'Artificial' do to get dropped by its distributor? Sources suggest it doesn't exactly paint Altman in a flattering light. With Andrew Garfield starring as the tech mogul and Ike Barinholtz playing Elon Musk, the film looks set to be a wild ride - but perhaps one that's too hot for Amazon to handle. The movie centres on the dramatic events surrounding Altman's firing from OpenAI in 2023 and his subsequent rehiring, with Ilya Sutskever, played by Yura Borisov, taking centre stage.
Despite ditching 'Artificial', Amazon is still singing the praises of Guadagnino, describing him as an 'award-winning filmmaker' they'd love to work with again. And it's no wonder - the man has a string of critically acclaimed films under his belt, including 'Challengers', 'Call Me By Your Name', and 'A Bigger Splash'. But will 'Artificial' find a new home in time for its awards season run? The search is on, but with previous reports suggesting other major studios had turned down the script due to concerns about its perceived dullness, it's anyone's guess.
The situation presents a challenge - but one that Guadagnino and his team are sure to rise to. After all, as any fan of film will tell you, it's not just about the script - it's about the passion and dedication that goes into bringing it to life. And with 'Artificial', there's no shortage of either.