Amazon Ditches Near-Finished Sam Altman Biopic After OpenAI Deal
Looks like Amazon has decided to step back from its almost-complete film, “Artificial,” which dives into the life of Sam Altman. This move comes just months after the e-commerce giant sealed a significant partnership with OpenAI, the brain behind ChatGPT.
The biopic, directed by the talented Luca Guadagnino—known for hits like “Call Me by Your Name”—features Andrew Garfield, who portrays the polarizing OpenAI CEO. The cast also includes Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, along with Monica Barbaro, Jason Schwartzman, and others. Despite positive vibes from early test screenings, Amazon has opted to part ways with the project, as confirmed in a statement shared with the media.
The decision was made by Prime Video head Mike Hopkins, following a hefty $50 (approx. Rs 14,000) billion investment commitment from Amazon towards OpenAI back in February. Amazon has now shifted its focus to helping the “Artificial” team find a new distributor, indicating they believe the film might fare better in the hands of another studio.
An Amazon spokesperson expressed admiration for Guadagnino, highlighting their ongoing professional relationship and belief that a different studio might be a better fit for the film’s release. The story of “Artificial” revolves around the tumultuous period when Altman was both fired and then rehired at OpenAI in 2023, and insiders suggest that its portrayal of both Altman and Musk might not paint them in the most favorable light.
While the film was initially slated for release this year, it now stands without a confirmed date. Additional screenings for potential distributors were held recently, and the cast has some notable names, including Yura Borisov, Cooper Hoffman, and Billie Lourd.
As the dust settles on this unexpected move, fans are left wondering what the future holds for “Artificial” and whether it will find a new home soon.
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