An upcoming film titled "Artificial" will feature Sam Altman, the CEO of OpenAI, portrayed by actor Andrew Garfield. The movie, which depicts Altman’s removal from his position at OpenAI in 2023 followed by his reinstatement, was recently acquired by Neon after being dropped by Amazon MGM Studios.
Neon announced the acquisition on Tuesday, emphasizing its dedication to collaborating with innovative filmmakers and delivering ambitious cinema to global audiences. The studio also stated that "Artificial" will enter the competition for this year’s Academy Awards.
Sources familiar with the project, who requested anonymity, revealed that the film takes a critical stance on artificial intelligence. This perspective reportedly led Amazon to distance itself from the movie, especially given the tech giant's significant $50 billion investment in OpenAI.
While Amazon chose not to comment on these specifics, they expressed their high regard for the film's director, Luca Guadagnino, and indicated that "Artificial" would be better served under a different studio's release. They are reportedly working with the filmmaking team to secure a new distributor.
The terms of the deal were negotiated by representatives from Neon, CAA Media Finance, and Amazon, though CAA and Amazon opted not to provide further comments. A Neon spokesperson did not immediately address inquiries about the financial details.
Puck News was the first to report Amazon's decision to withdraw the film.
Several other studios, including Netflix, A24, and Focus Features, reviewed "Artificial," but both Netflix and Focus ultimately opted out of distribution.
This decision by Amazon comes amidst an ongoing conversation within Hollywood regarding the implications of artificial intelligence, with many creatives voicing concerns over job security and the unauthorized use of their likenesses for AI training. In contrast, numerous AI firms are keen to collaborate with studios, claiming their technologies can enhance efficiency and lower production costs.
To encourage more balanced discussions surrounding AI, Google is teaming up with talent management firm Range Media Partners to develop films that present a more optimistic vision of the technology.
The choice to abandon "Artificial" poses significant questions regarding whether studios backed by tech companies would feel comfortable releasing content that critiques innovations they are invested in. Robert Thompson, director of the Bleier Center for Television and Popular Culture at Syracuse University, suggested this might lead to a chilling effect on films critical of any sector in which these companies have invested.
"The chilling effect could extend beyond films critical of AI; it could impact narratives touching on a range of subjects tied to the interests of these companies,” Thompson noted.
Stories revolving around technology founders tend to captivate audiences, as evidenced by the 2010 film “The Social Network,” which chronicled the rise of Facebook and grossed $225 million globally, according to Paul Dergarabedian, head of marketplace trends at Rentrak. He suggested that "The Social Network" benefited from its timely exploration of Facebook and its talented team, including director David Fincher.
Dergarabedian added, “Neon is an ideal steward for this film, promising to guide it to the big screen effectively due to their filmmaker-centric approach. They’ve found an excellent fit with Neon.”
"Artificial" boasts a talented cast featuring Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer at OpenAI, and Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, along with other notable actors like Jason Schwartzman and Billie Lourd. Director Guadagnino is known for his previous works, including “Challengers” and “Call Me By Your Name.”
The report was also contributed to by writer Samantha Masunaga.
