A new film, titled Artificial, is in development at Amazon MGM Studios, portraying the dramatic and tumultuous events at OpenAI that led to the brief firing and quick reinstatement of CEO Sam Altman. Based on reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the movie aims to capture the chaos surrounding Altman’s departure in November 2023, a period marked by intense internal conflict and dramatic twists.
Sources indicate that director Luca Guadagnino, known for acclaimed films like Call Me by Your Name, is in talks to helm the project. The studio is also considering Andrew Garfield for the role of Sam Altman, while Monica Barbaro, famous for A Complete Unknown, is eyed to portray Mira Murati, the former CTO. Yura Borisov, who starred in Anora, is being considered for the part of Ilya Sutskever, a co-founder who played a key role in demanding Altman’s removal.
The screenplay is reportedly written by “Saturday Night Live” writer Simon Rich, suggesting a humorous or satirical tone could be woven into the movie, reflecting the absurdity of the real events.
The story centers around Altman’s swift departure from OpenAI, where he was dismissed from both his CEO role and his position on the board, amid suspicion that the board no longer trusted his leadership. However, after just five days of negotiations, a surprising turnaround occurred, and Altman was reinstated, revealing a chaotic power struggle within the tech giant. The film intends to dramatize this internal drama while adding comedic elements to emphasize the bizarre nature of recent AI industry events.
The incident garnered widespread attention, highlighting internal conflicts amid the rapid growth and unpredictable nature of AI development. As AI tools like ChatGPT become more embedded in daily life, the film’s depiction of recent events will likely resonate with audiences familiar with the headlines.
Whether it will be a serious commentary or a satirical take, Artificial promises to explore the chaotic world behind one of the most influential AI companies and the extraordinary drama that unfolded within it. The film’s release will surely generate curiosity, especially among those interested in AI, tech history, and Hollywood adaptations of real-life industry episodes.
