Will Artificial be the The Social Network of the 2020s? Luca Guadagnino's new film (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) follows the rise of Sam Altman, a central figure in the development of artificial intelligence. As CEO of OpenAI, he is notably behind the ChatGPT tool. In the role of this tech king, we find actor Andrew Garfield.
A Film Abandoned by Amazon
However, even before its theatrical release, the feature film is already generating much discussion. Initially supported by Amazon, which had helped finance the film to the tune of $40 million, Artificial was abandoned. The biopic does not seem to have been to the firm's liking, which, a few months earlier, signed a $50 billion agreement with OpenAI.
The simplest solution for Amazon, therefore, was to simply endanger the film by withdrawing from the project even though filming and post-production were completed. Good news: independent studio NEON came to Luca Guadagnino's rescue, ensuring a theatrical release for his film.
The first trailer shows a young Sam Altman entering his immense house before going down to a secret basement where weapons are stored. The surreal image resembles that of a true James Bond villain.
Andrew Garfield Talks About His Controversial Role
Regarding this role destined to create a buzz, Andrew Garfield explained to Esquire magazine:
"I don't know Sam Altman. I've never met him. I based it on the script, trial transcripts, interviews, and my research, and we were telling a story. But I think anyone who takes on such a level of responsibility at the head of a company or technology that they know will cause enormous damage to the soul of humanity [must be able to] dissociate themselves from a film about them."
Alongside Andrew Garfield, we will find Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick), Yura Borisov (Anora), Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies), Ike Barinholtz (The Studio), Jason Schwartzman (Marie Antoinette), Cooper Hoffman (Licorice Pizza), Cooper Koch (Monsters), and Billie Lourd (American Horror Story).
Artificial does not yet have a release date in France.