{"id":376621,"date":"2026-06-27T01:01:32","date_gmt":"2026-06-27T01:01:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/376621\/"},"modified":"2026-06-27T01:01:32","modified_gmt":"2026-06-27T01:01:32","slug":"san-francisco-filmed-openai-movie-dropped-by-amazon-future-uncertain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/376621\/","title":{"rendered":"San Francisco-filmed OpenAI movie dropped by Amazon, future uncertain"},"content":{"rendered":"

The future of one of 2027’s most highly anticipated films is up in the air. “Artificial” tells the story of the\u00a0tumultuous period<\/a> in 2023 when OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was fired<\/a> from the company and quickly rehired. The film was set to be released through Amazon MGM Studios, but was dropped in a move that was announced<\/a> months after a recent $50 billion investment<\/a> into OpenAI by Amazon.<\/p>\n

Directed by Luca Guadagnino (“Challengers”) with a $40 million budget, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Altman, plus a host of other actors like Monica Barbaro (“A Complete Unknown”) and Yura Borisov (“Anora”) playing OpenAI colleagues (plus Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk). The filmmakers spent several days shooting in San Francisco<\/a> last summer at locales including the Marina, Dolores Park, Atelier Crenn restaurant and a street outside Sam Altman’s mansion. The movie was expected to be released sometime in 2027.<\/p>\n

The script was written by “SNL” alum Simon Rich, and an early read by Puck<\/a> writer Matthew Belloni noted that it was a harsh depiction of the recklessness of tech culture. Belloni reported that the tone of the film grew darker as production went on, and that the decision to shelve it was made after Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios, saw a cut of the film. An Amazon spokesperson told\u00a0Puck that “we believe that Artificial will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the filmmaking team to find the film a new home.”<\/p>\n

Variety<\/a> reports that several prominent studios have seen the rough cut, with Focus Features, Warner Bros.’ Clockwork, A24 and Netflix all passing on the film. Mubi and Neon are reportedly in contention to purchase it.<\/p>\n

OpenAI did not respond to a request for comment by time of publication.<\/p>\n

Know of something interesting happening at a San Francisco venue? Is there a movie filming in your neighborhood? Do you have a friend working on a cool project we should know about? Email SFGATE’s senior culture editor at Dan.Gentile@sfgate.com.<\/p>\n

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