Neon Acquires U.S. Rights to Luca Guadagnino’s AI-Themed Film “Artificial”

Neon has confirmed it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to “Artificial,” the new film directed by Luca Guadagnino that explores the story of Sam Altman, according to a report by Puck co-founder Matt Belloni. The deal comes after Amazon MGM Studios dropped the project last week amid its $50 billion partnership with OpenAI, which includes the AI company using Amazon Web Services.

What Is “Artificial” About?

The film, which stars Andrew Garfield as Altman, chronicles the 2023 upheaval at OpenAI, including his sudden firing and reinstatement as CEO. Neon described the movie as “the incredibly consequential days leading up to the sudden firing and reinstatement of Sam Altman as CEO of OpenAI, as the fate of who gets to control the technology at the center of an AI arms race hangs in the balance.” The film also features Monica Barbaro as OpenAI’s CTO Mira Murati and Mark Rylance as AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton. It was written by “SNL” writer Simon Rich and includes a fictionalized portrayal of Altman’s conflict with OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, played by Yura Borisov.

Why Did Amazon Drop the Film?

Amazon MGM Studios cited a “longstanding relationship” with Guadagnino, the director of “Challengers” and “After the Hunt,” but said the film “will be better served if it were released by a different studio.” The decision followed Amazon’s $50 billion deal with OpenAI, which grants the AI company access to AWS infrastructure. A source told *The Town* podcast that Amazon found the film “grim, it’s dark, it goes there, and it makes you feel bad after watching it about the future of the human race.”

How Did the Film Reach Neon?

After Amazon’s exit, the film’s representatives at CAA Media Finance screened the movie for major studios, including Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros. All passed, according to Belloni. The film is expected to compete in this year’s Oscar race, though no release date has been set.

What Else Is Known About the Film?

The movie has drawn comparisons to “The Social Network,” which depicted Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in a critical light. Belloni on “The Town” podcast described “Artificial” as particularly unflattering to Altman and Elon Musk, who is portrayed by Ike Barinholtz.

What’s Next for the Film?

Neon’s involvement could signal a shift in the film’s tone or marketing strategy. The studio has not yet commented on potential release plans. Meanwhile, Amazon’s decision to step back raises questions about the studio’s strategy for high-concept, tech-focused projects. As the film moves forward, its reception could influence how Hollywood approaches stories about AI and its creators.