Amazon's AI Film Conflict
Amazon Drops Luca Guadagnino Film 'Artificial' Over OpenAI Partnership Conflict
Key Points
Variety reported that “Artificial” had already completed “several test screenings,” and then specifically screened again for other studios on June 18.
In addition to Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, the film’s ensemble includes Monica Barbaro as former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, Yura Borisov as former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever, and Mark Rylance among other prominent cast members (including Billie Lourd, Jason Schwartzman, and Chris O’Dowd).
Deadline reported that “Artificial” was written by Simon Rich (an SNL alum) and that the project was set to reunite Guadagnino with Amazon after “Challengers” and “After the Hunt.”
Deadline also tied Amazon’s broader AI posture to the decision by quoting Jeff Bezos at a Paris tech conference saying he believes AI will not take jobs but will “create a labour shortage,” noting that technology experts across the political spectrum have criticized that view.
Amazon MGM Studios has dropped Luca Guadagnino's nearly finished film "Artificial," which stars Andrew Garfield as OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, according to Variety. The studio said it believes the film "would be better served" by a different distributor and is actively helping the team find a new home.
The move comes after Amazon announced a reported $50 billion partnership with OpenAI in February 2025, making the tech firm one of Amazon's biggest cloud customers. Puck first reported the drop, noting that the film portrays Altman and Elon Musk as the least sympathetic characters in the story.
A $50 Billion Deal Collides With a Critical Film
The conflict is simple: Amazon is deeply tied to OpenAI, and "Artificial" is not kind to OpenAI's CEO. In February 2025, Amazon committed to a reported $50 billion deal to expand OpenAI's use of Amazon Web Services and co-develop custom AI models, according to The Wall Street Journal. That deal made OpenAI one of Amazon's most important business partners.
Amazon executives reviewed early script drafts and saw rough cuts of the film, Variety reported. Test screenings reportedly went well with audiences. But the film's portrayal of Altman landed him as deeply unsympathetic — a tough sell when your studio's parent company has $50 billion riding on his goodwill.
The Film: What 'Artificial' Is Actually About
"Artificial" covers five dramatic days in November 2023, when OpenAI's board fired Altman, Microsoft swooped in to hire him, and a staff revolt forced the board to bring him back. The script was written by Simon Rich, an "Saturday Night Live" alum known for sharp satire, according to Deadline.
The cast is stacked. Andrew Garfield plays Altman. Monica Barbaro plays former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati. Yura Borisov plays former chief scientist Ilya Sutskever. Mark Rylance, Billie Lourd, Jason Schwartzman, and Chris O'Dowd round out the ensemble. The film was set to reunite Guadagnino with Amazon after "Challengers" and "After the Hunt," Deadline noted.
Amazon Screens Film for Rivals on June 18
On June 18, Amazon held a special screening of "Artificial" specifically for other studios looking to pick it up, Variety reported. Apple, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Discovery were among the distributors in the room. Because the film is nearly finished and tested well, industry watchers expect it to find a new home quickly.
The production budget is estimated at over $100 million, making it one of Guadagnino's most expensive films ever, according to Deadline. Guadagnino's representative did not respond to requests for comment. Amazon said it continues to respect Guadagnino and remains committed to helping the project land elsewhere.
Bezos's AI Optimism Clashes With the Film's Skepticism
Amazon's broader stance on AI also played a role. In May 2026, Jeff Bezos spoke at a Paris tech conference and said he believes AI will not take jobs but will instead "create a labour shortage," according to Deadline. Technology experts across the political spectrum pushed back on that claim.
A film that frames AI's biggest champion as unsympathetic sits awkwardly next to that message. Industry observers warn this sets a troubling precedent. Filmmakers may now think twice before pitching critical stories about powerful tech companies to the very studios that depend on those same companies for billions of dollars in business.
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