Neon is nearing a deal to acquire “Artificial,” the $40 million Luca Guadagnino film detailing the internal turmoil at OpenAI, after Amazon MGM Studios opted to exit the project. According to reports, the film depicts Sam Altman as “deeply untrustworthy” and portrays Elon Musk as “highly dislikable.”
Why did Amazon walk away from the film?
Amazon MGM Studios officially decided the film would “be better served if it were released by a different studio.” This move follows a significant $50 billion investment partnership between Amazon and OpenAI. Additionally, Sam Altman’s relationship with Jeff Bezos was underlined by his appearance at the Amazon boss’s wedding. While test screenings were reportedly positive, the studio still chose to exit.
The film’s script, penned by “SNL” alum Simon Rich, focuses on the high-stakes period surrounding Sam Altman’s brief firing and subsequent rehiring at OpenAI.
Who is starring in “Artificial”?
The production features an extensive ensemble cast. Andrew Garfield portrays Sam Altman, while Ike Barinholtz takes on the role of Elon Musk. Other key figures include Monica Barbaro as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and Yura Borisov as former OpenAI chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. The supporting cast includes Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Cooper Koch, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet, Angus Imrie, Chris O’Dowd, and Mark Rylance.
What is the film’s release timeline?
“Artificial” is currently in the final stages of post-production. Before Amazon’s departure, the film was eyeing a festival launch at SXSW. With Neon now in the lead to acquire the rights, the movie could now potentially be in play for a slot at the Venice Film Festival.
Which studios passed on the project?
Sales for the film were managed by CAA Media Finance. According to Variety, Netflix, A24, and Focus chose not to pursue the project after private screenings. Mubi was also in the mix for the distribution rights before Neon emerged as the frontrunner, as first reported by Puck.
Pro Tip: The Power of Distribution
Studios often evaluate projects alongside their artistic merit.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who directed “Artificial”? Luca Guadagnino directed the film.
- Who wrote the screenplay? The script was written by Simon Rich.
- What is the film’s budget? The film had a production budget of $40 million.
- Is the movie a documentary? The source articles do not state the genre.
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