Hollywood passes on biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Netflix, A24, Focus Features, and Warner Bros.' Clockwork have reportedly decided to pass on picking up Artificial, a new biographical drama about OpenAI cofounder and CEO Sam Altman, for distribution deals. The film, directed by Luca Guadagnino, had reportedly neared completion of postproduction when Amazon MGM unexpectedly announced last week that it no longer plans to distribute the film. The news came as a surprise given how far along the movie was and reports that Amazon had previously been on board.

Neon and Mubi are still said to be interested in the film, but the situation suggests that Hollywood may be losing its appetite for critical stories about Big Tech. The decision by several major studios to drop out of distribution deals for Artificial raises questions about the willingness of Hollywood to tackle tough subjects. The withdrawal of major studios from the distribution deals for Artificial comes at a time when the influence of Big Tech on society is under intense scrutiny.

The story of Sam Altman and OpenAI is undoubtedly an important one, and the hesitation of major studios to engage with it may have significant implications for the types of stories that get told in the future. Why this matters: The reluctance of major Hollywood studios to distribute a film critical of Big Tech has significant implications for the entertainment industry and the broader conversation around technology and society. By passing on Artificial, these studios are potentially limiting the kinds of stories that get told and the perspectives that get shared.

This could have a chilling effect on filmmakers and writers who want to explore the complex relationships between technology, power, and society. For developers, businesses, and consumers, this hesitation to engage with critical stories about Big Tech may mean fewer nuanced and thought-provoking explorations of the impact of technology on society. As the influence of AI and Big Tech continues to grow, it's essential that a diverse range of voices and perspectives are represented in the media – and the withdrawal of major studios from the distribution deals for Artificial raises important questions about the role of Hollywood in telling these stories.