Amazon Drops Sam Altman Biopic After Announcing Major OpenAI Partnership
Key Takeaways
- ▸Amazon MGM dropped the nearly completed Sam Altman biopic 'Artificial' months after expanding its partnership with OpenAI, which includes a $50 billion investment and major cloud services deal
- ▸The film underwent positive screen tests but was deemed incompatible with Amazon's business relationship with OpenAI due to its critical portrayal of Altman and Elon Musk
- ▸The decision reveals how major tech companies increasingly manage media properties that might conflict with their commercial interests and partnerships
Summary
Amazon MGM has cancelled its partnership with director Luca Guadagnino on the nearly completed biopic 'Artificial,' which stars Andrew Garfield as OpenAI founder Sam Altman. The decision comes months after Amazon announced a major expansion of its partnership with OpenAI, which includes a $50 billion investment and a $38 billion multi-year cloud services deal. The film, originally scheduled for early 2027 release, underwent positive screen tests but was removed from Amazon's roster following the deepened business relationship between the two companies. Amazon stated that the film would be better served by a different studio, though the decision appears driven by potential conflicts of interest.
The cancellation reveals a conflict between the film's critical portrayal of its subjects and Amazon's new strategic alliance with OpenAI. According to early screenings, test audiences viewed the film's depictions of both Altman and Elon Musk (who appears as a character) unfavorably. The movie chronicles Altman's brief ousting and subsequent rehiring as OpenAI CEO in 2023, featuring a star-studded cast including Monica Barbaro, Ike Barinholtz, and Mark Rylance.
The decision underscores how major tech companies increasingly manage entertainment properties that might conflict with their business interests. Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and Altman have developed a close personal and professional relationship, with Altman attending Bezos's 2025 wedding in Venice. The two companies' partnership, which began in 2015 when Amazon became an early OpenAI investor, has evolved into a significant multi-billion-dollar commercial relationship. The film is now being shopped to other studios for distribution.
- The film is being shopped to other studios for distribution, with director Luca Guadagnino's previous work at Amazon ('Challengers,' 'After the Hunt') having been well-received
