A high-profile film is in development that will dramatise the brief and chaotic period when Sam Altman was removed and then reinstated as CEO of OpenAI.
The movie, titled “Artificial”, is set to be produced by Amazon MGM Studios and Heyday Films, with filming expected to start this summer, partly in San Francisco.
Industry sources reveal that Luca Guadagnino, director of “Call Me By Your Name” and “Challengers”, is in discussions to direct the project.
The lead role of Altman could be played by Andrew Garfield, known for his portrayal of tech entrepreneur Eduardo Saverin in “The Social Network”.
Andrew Garfield is a critically acclaimed British-American actor known for his roles in films such as "The Social Network," "Hacksaw Ridge," and "Spider-Man: No Way Home."
Monica Barbaro, nominated for an Oscar earlier this year for her role in “A Complete Unknown”, is expected to play OpenAI’s chief technology officer Mira Murati.
Monica Barbaro is an American actress known for her roles in television series like "Unreal" and "The Good Cop," and particularly for her breakout performance as "Phoenix" in the film "Top Gun: Maverick."
Yura Borisov, also Oscar-nominated for his performance in the film “Anora”, is reportedly lined up to play Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI co-founder who was involved in the effort to oust Altman.
Yura Borisov is a Russian actor who has gained international recognition, notably for his Oscar-nominated role in the 2024 film Anora, and is also known for his work in Russian cinema.
The screenplay, reportedly penned by “Saturday Night Live” writer Simon Rich, suggests the film may blend drama with comedic elements, capturing both the tension and the absurdity of the real-life events.
The story centres on the startling events of November 2023, when OpenAI’s board abruptly dismissed Altman.
The board cited a lack of “consistent candour” from Altman that allegedly hampered their oversight.
At the same time, Mira Murati was named interim CEO.
This decision sparked immediate unrest among OpenAI staff.
Over 700 of the company’s roughly 770 employees signed an open letter threatening to resign unless Altman was reinstated.
Meanwhile, Microsoft, OpenAI’s close partner, expressed strong disapproval of the firing and announced it was establishing a new AI division with Altman at the helm.
Just five days after his removal, Altman’s return was agreed upon, alongside the disbanding of the original OpenAI board and appointment of a new temporary leadership team.
With billions of dollars at stake and the rapid evolution of AI technology, the OpenAI saga presents a story rich with drama, corporate politics, and high-stakes decisions.
Hollywood’s growing fascination with AI is reflected in other projects underway, including thrillers about rogue artificial intelligence and films featuring notable actors exploring the tech world.
For Garfield, playing Altman would mark a return to portraying real-life tech figures, while Barbaro and Borisov’s recent acclaim adds weight to the cast.
Guadagnino’s involvement further signals the film’s potential to mix artistic depth with commercial appeal.
The film is expected to shoot in both San Francisco and Italy.
Guadagnino recently completed filming “After the Hunt”, starring Julia Roberts, which is set for release this October.
As AI continues to grow in global importance, “Artificial” aims to bring one of the most turbulent episodes in tech leadership to the big screen, with a cast and crew well placed to capture the human and corporate complexities involved.
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