Hollywood Bows to Big Tech? Major Studios Refuse to Distribute Sam Altman Biopic 'Artificial'
Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork have reportedly all declined to distribute 'Artificial,' a biographical drama about OpenAI co-founder Sam Altman directed by Luca Guadagnino. The film was left in limbo after Amazon MGM unexpectedly pulled out last week, raising questions about whether Hollywood has lost the courage to tell stories critical of tech giants. Only Neon and Mubi are said to still be interested.
Highlights
- Amazon MGM unexpectedly dropped distribution of 'Artificial' last week, despite post-production being nearly complete.
- Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork have all reportedly declined to take over distribution of the Sam Altman biopic.
- Only indie distributors Neon and Mubi are said to remain interested in acquiring the film.
- The distribution crisis has fueled debate about whether Hollywood studios are self-censoring to avoid antagonizing Big Tech companies like OpenAI.
- 'Artificial' is directed by Luca Guadagnino and focuses on OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman amid the global generative AI boom.
Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork label have all reportedly declined to step in as distributor for Artificial — a biographical drama directed by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, centered on OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman.
Only Neon and Mubi are said to remain interested in the project, yet the broader situation has sparked widespread debate in the media and industry: has Hollywood lost the nerve to tell stories that challenge the most powerful figures in Silicon Valley?
Amazon MGM's Sudden Exit Throws Distribution Into Doubt
With post-production on Artificial nearly complete, Amazon MGM blindsided the industry last week by announcing it would no longer handle distribution of the film. The move came as a shock — the production was in its final stages and a smooth path to release had been widely assumed.
Amazon MGM's abrupt withdrawal triggered a domino effect, with several major studios subsequently signaling they were unwilling to take over, casting serious uncertainty over the film's prospects for theatrical release.
A Chilling Effect From Big Tech?
The episode has prompted uncomfortable questions: as OpenAI and the broader tech industry's influence continues to grow, are mainstream Hollywood studios beginning to self-censor — deliberately steering clear of subject matter that might antagonize influential technology leaders?
Artificial tells the story of one of the most polarizing figures in contemporary tech, Sam Altman. At a moment when generative AI is reshaping industries worldwide, the film's troubled journey to distribution may reflect the increasingly complex power dynamics between the entertainment industry and technology capital.
Whether Neon or Mubi can ultimately step in to fill the distribution void remains to be seen. Full coverage is available via The Verge.
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