Andrew Garfield’s Sam Altman biopic 'Artificial' loses Amazon backing in post-production shake-up
The studio is no longer moving forward with Artificial, a high-profile Sam Altman biopic starring Andrew Garfield
Amazon has pulled out of distributing Artificial, Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming biographical drama about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, despite the film being in post-production and previously expected to land on the studio’s 2026 slate.
The project, which stars Andrew Garfield as Altman and is directed by Luca Guadagnino, is now being shopped to other studios after Amazon confirmed it will no longer move forward as the film’s distributor.
A spokesperson for Amazon said the company still holds “the utmost respect and admiration” for Guadagnino and intends to help the production find a new home.
“We believe that Artificial will be better served if it were released by a different studio,” the statement said.
The film, first reported in 2025, chronicles the rise of Sam Altman and the internal world of artificial intelligence leadership.
It wrapped production earlier this year and had been positioned for a possible awards-season rollout, though reports had already suggested a delay into 2027 amid a crowded field of tech-focused dramas.
The timing of Amazon’s decision is notable given its recently announced strategic partnership with OpenAI, which includes major investment commitments and deepened collaboration in AI development.
Artificial features a large ensemble cast alongside Garfield, including Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov, Cooper Koch, Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet and Chris O’Dowd.
Comedian Ike Barinholtz also appears as Elon Musk.
Industry reports have described early test screenings of the film as positive, while also noting that its portrayal of major tech figures is notably sharp in tone.
With Amazon stepping back, the film’s future release plans now depend on securing a new distributor willing to take on one of Hollywood’s most closely watched tech biopics.
