Amazon MGM has reportedly pulled out of its collaboration on 'Artificial', a forthcoming biopic about controversial OpenAI founder Sam Altman, directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film, which is nearing completion and stars Andrew Garfield as Altman, was initially slated for release in early 2027, but its future is now uncertain following the studio's decision to remove it from its production roster.
This development comes months after Amazon announced a significant expansion of its existing partnership with OpenAI. In February, the e-commerce and cloud computing giant agreed to deepen its multi-year deal to host OpenAI's systems on its cloud services, a collaboration that reportedly includes a substantial investment of up to $50 billion in the AI company and plans for developing customised AI models. Amazon and OpenAI have a professional relationship stretching back to 2015, with Amazon being an early investor in the AI firm.
A spokesperson for Amazon, in a statement to Variety, expressed 'utmost respect and admiration for Luca Guadagnino' and indicated a desire to continue their 'longstanding relationship'. However, the spokesperson added, 'We believe that Artificial will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the filmmaking team to find the film a new home.' Guadagnino has previously directed critically acclaimed films for Amazon, including 'Challengers' and 'After the Hunt'.
'Artificial' is understood to focus on the dramatic period in 2023 when Altman was abruptly removed as OpenAI's CEO, only to be reinstated shortly afterwards. The cast also includes Monica Barbaro as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and Ike Barinholtz as SpaceX founder Elon Musk, alongside a host of other notable actors. While the exact reasons for Amazon's decision remain unclear, reports suggest the film had undergone positive screen tests. However, an early viewer reportedly told Variety that the portrayals of Altman and Musk were characters audiences would 'like the least', despite Amazon having reportedly seen early script iterations before Guadagnino was hired.
The film is now reportedly being shown to other studios in an effort to secure a new distributor. The close personal and professional ties between Sam Altman and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, including Altman's attendance at Bezos's wedding, further contextualise the situation, highlighting the intricate web of relationships within the technology and entertainment industries.