OpenAI film, dropped by Amazon, is acquired by Neon

The independent distributor Neon has acquired “Artificial,” a film directed by Luca Guadagnino centered on Sam Altman and the rise of OpenAI. The acquisition follows a bidding process that occurred after Amazon MGM Studios unexpectedly dropped the nearly complete $40 million production earlier this month.

A High-Stakes Production

“Artificial” chronicles the events surrounding the 2023 firing and subsequent reinstatement of Sam Altman as the chief executive of OpenAI. The film features a prominent cast, with Andrew Garfield portraying Altman, Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov, and Academy Award winner Mark Rylance. Additionally, Ike Barinholtz is cast in the role of Elon Musk.
Amazon MGM Studios had initially moved to sell the film to find it a new home, stating at the time that the project would “be better served if it were released by a different studio.” This decision arrived just months after Amazon announced a $50 billion investment in OpenAI and signed an expansive multiyear partnership with the artificial intelligence startup in late February.

Neon’s Awards Ambitions

Neon confirmed that it intends to release “Artificial” within the current year and plans to position the film to compete in the upcoming Oscar race. While the studio did not disclose the financial terms of the deal for the worldwide rights, the acquisition aligns with Neon’s history of backing high-profile cinema.
The specialty label has built a significant track record during awards season, having distributed Oscar winners such as “Parasite” and “Anora.” Furthermore, the studio has backed the last seven Palme d’Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival. In a statement regarding the acquisition, Neon noted that the move underscores its commitment to partnering with visionary filmmakers and bringing ambitious cinema to global audiences.