Takes A24 AI Film

No one wants to touch Luca Guadagnino’s Artificial, and the reason why should scare you

It spells dark things for Hollywood

Oreoluwa Adeyoola
22nd June 2026, 16:46
Add as preferred source on Google
Add as preferred source on Google

Luca Guadagnino’s OpenAI comedy Artificial is stuck in distribution limbo after being dropped by Amazon, and that’s concerning for Hollywood’s future.

Articficl wrapped filming late last year and is deep in post-production, so it was a shock when Amazon MGM Studios announced they would be dropping the film. It follows the real story of OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman’s chaotic firing and rehiring in November 2023. Oscar-nominated director Luca Guadagnino has teamed up with writer Simon Rich, known for his work on SNL. It has a strong cast too – with Andrew Garfield taking the lead as Sam Altman.

What’s happened to Artificial’s distribution?

via Amazon MGM Studios

Although the film had already finished filming and was deep in post-production, Amazon MGM Studios announced it would drop out as distributor. This news was announced shortly after Amazon committed a shocking $50 billion investment in OpenAI. Some speculate the film was dropped to appease Sam Altman due to the timing, though we don’t have any confirmation.

After this was announced, multiple reports said that other major studios, like Warner Bros. and A24, also passed on the film. Variety noted A24’s connection to OpenAI. Thrive Capital, a prominent investor in OpenAI, led a funding round for A24 in 2024. Additionally, it was just announced that Google is investing $75 million in A24 as part of a research partnership between the two companies to explore AI in film production.

This shows a wider issue in Hollywood

via Netflix

Artificial will still hit our screens – NEON and Mubi, who support indie films with distribution, are both eyeing the feature. But this chain of events shows a worrying trend with the heavy involvement of mega tech corporations in the world of art and entertainment. Instead of simply investing in these companies to facilitate the creation of more amazing art, it looks like the cosy relationship also seeps into criticism of AI in film. It has been speculated that Luca Guadagnino’s Sam Altman is a critical depiction of the tech CEO and has been compared to The Social Network. This has only fuelled belief that Amazon dropped the film to stay on his good side.

While this is all cautious speculation, the worrying rise in interference by AI and tech companies in art doesn’t bode well for artists in the industry and for those of us who enjoy art made by people.

For all the latest film and TV updates and hot takes, like our Facebook page.

Featured image via Lev Radin