Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’ Faces Distribution Challenges as Mubi Shows Interest

Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film ‘Artificial’ is encountering unexpected hurdles after several major distributors opted not to proceed with the project. This highly anticipated drama, centered around OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, has been presented to potential buyers, but many prominent names have reportedly declined to take it on.

As reported by Variety, Focus Features, Warner Bros.’ Clockwork, A24, and Netflix have all chosen not to acquire the film following private screenings. However, there remains interest from other companies, with Mubi currently considering the project and Neon also rumored to be in the mix.

The film’s future became uncertain when Amazon MGM Studios unexpectedly withdrew from the project. Initially, Amazon had developed ‘Artificial’ and aimed for a release in early 2027, but the studio later determined that another distributor might be better suited for the film.

Amazon clarified that its decision was not related to the film’s subject matter, stating it believed the project would find a more suitable home elsewhere. The company is also collaborating with the filmmakers to assist in securing a new distributor.

CAA Media Finance, representing Guadagnino, has been organizing screenings to secure a new deal. The film is nearing completion and reportedly has a production budget of around $40 million.

‘Artificial’ stars Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, focusing on the dramatic events surrounding OpenAI’s leadership crisis in 2023, during which Altman was briefly removed as CEO by the company’s board before returning just days later.

Written by former Saturday Night Live writer Simon Rich, the film has been likened to a “The Social Network” for the artificial intelligence era. The narrative begins with OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever, portrayed by Yura Borisov, before delving into the company’s internal power struggles.

The cast also features Monica Barbaro as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, alongside Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Cooper Koch, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet, Chris O’Dowd, and Mark Rylance.

The project has garnered attention due to its subject matter, presenting a controversial take on events involving influential figures in the tech industry, including Altman and Elon Musk, played by Ike Barinholtz.

The search for a distributor may prove complex, given that some companies have close ties to the tech world. Variety noted that A24, which passed on the film, is backed by Thrive Capital, an investor linked to OpenAI.

Mubi seems to be one of the most promising potential homes for ‘Artificial’. The independent distributor has a history of collaboration with Guadagnino, having released several of his projects in various markets, including ‘Queer’ and ‘Suspiria’ in the UK.

Mubi has also previously stepped in to support ambitious films. The company acquired ‘The Substance’ after Universal dropped the project before its Cannes debut, which later became a significant awards success, earning multiple Oscar nominations.

‘Artificial’ could follow a similar trajectory if it secures the right distributor. While the film may be seen as a challenging release due to its real-world subject, it also holds the potential to emerge as an awards contender.

Initially expected to debut at SXSW, the film’s plans shifted following Amazon’s exit. Depending on who acquires it, ‘Artificial’ could now be a contender for major festivals like Venice.

For the moment, Guadagnino’s latest project remains without a confirmed release date, but with several companies still showing interest, the film’s journey is far from over.

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