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Artificial’s Rocky Hollywood Journey Fuels Debate Over AI
Artificial is a movie about a time when Sam Altman was suddenly removed as the leader of OpenAI.
Most employees threatened to leave, and Microsoft offered him a job.
A few days later, the board changed course and Altman returned.
The movie adds made-up scenes and conversations, so it is not a complete record of what happened.
Amazon MGM Studios dropped the finished film, and distributor Neon later took it on.
Altman watched the trailer and said the movie looked awful.
The film premiered in October 2026 and is due in US theaters on Christmas Day.
Some people are interested because the story is about powerful technology companies and worries about AI.
Luca Guadagnino’s biographical dramedy follows Sam Altman’s five-day removal from OpenAI in November 2023 and his return as CEO.
Amazon MGM Studios financed and developed the film, then dropped it after filming; reports put its budget at about $40 million.
Neon bought worldwide rights in late June, with no upfront payment and a commitment to spend $15 million on marketing.
The film premiered at the New York Film Festival on October 5, 2026, and is scheduled for a US theatrical release on December 25.
Altman called the trailer’s film an awful movie, while the story has drawn attention amid wider public unease about AI.
- Who
- The film follows Sam Altman and other people involved in OpenAI’s 2023 leadership crisis; Andrew Garfield plays Altman.
- What
- Artificial is a biographical dramedy about Altman’s removal and return as OpenAI chief executive.
- Where
- The premiere was at Alice Tully Hall in Lincoln Center, New York; the US theatrical release is planned nationwide.
- When
- The events depicted took place in November 2023; the film premiered October 5, 2026, and is scheduled for US release December 25.
- Why
- The film revisits OpenAI’s leadership crisis and arrives amid public anxiety about AI and questions about who controls the technology.
Critical and skeptical views
Defenses and explanations
How fairly the film portrays Altman
Critical and skeptical views
Altman said the film looked awful, and the article notes it invents scenes and dialogue rather than aiming for a strict record.
Defenses and explanations
Garfield said he hopes the film does not make anyone a pure hero or villain; he based his performance on his research and the script.
Amazon’s decision to drop the film
Critical and skeptical views
Some observers saw a conflict because Amazon had made a major partnership with OpenAI, including a reported $50 billion investment, while the film portrays its chief in a harsh light.
Defenses and explanations
The article reports that the cast was not entirely surprised, with Garfield saying he was both surprised and not surprised, and Hoffman suggesting a tech giant was not a natural home for the story.
Key facts
- Director
- Luca Guadagnino
- Screenwriter
- Simon Rich
- Lead actor
- Andrew Garfield plays Sam Altman
- Reported budget
- About $40 million
- Distributor
- Neon bought worldwide rights in late June
- Marketing commitment
- Neon pledged to spend $15 million
- Runtime
- About 140 minutes
- US release date
- December 25, 2026
Sources
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