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Amazon drops Sam Altman movie after announcing OpenAI partnership
The Independent • • general
Key Points:
- Amazon MGM has ended its partnership with director Luca Guadagnino on the nearly completed Sam Altman biopic, Artificial, putting the film’s early 2027 release date in doubt.
- The decision follows Amazon’s expanded $50 billion investment and multi-year deal to run OpenAI’s systems on its cloud services, signaling a shift in priorities despite prior support for the film.
- Amazon stated it respects Guadagnino and is working with the filmmakers to find a new studio to release the film, which has already received positive screen tests.
- Artificial stars Andrew Garfield as OpenAI founder Sam Altman, with Monica Barbaro and Ike Barinholtz portraying key figures Mira Murati and Elon Musk, and covers Altman’s 2023 ousting and rehiring as CEO.
- The film is currently being shopped to other studios for distribution, amid speculation that its portrayals of Altman and Musk may have contributed to Amazon’s withdrawal.
