Actor Andrew Garfield has spoken publicly for the first time about Amazon MGM Studios' decision to drop "Artificial," the Luca Guadagnino film in which he plays OpenAI chief Sam Altman, saying he was "and wasn't" surprised by the move. Speaking to Variety while promoting his new film "The Magic Faraway Tree," Garfield said Amazon had been supportive throughout production but that "certain things fit certain places and don't fit other places," and expressed gratitude that the film had found a new home. He also revealed he has never had contact with Altman and did not attempt to reach him while preparing for the role, though he said he would welcome the chance to meet him.

Neon acquired the nearly finished $40 million production after Amazon concluded it would be "better served" by another studio, a decision that came shortly after Amazon signed a $50 billion investment partnership with OpenAI. Neon has committed to an awards campaign for the film, which also stars Monica Barbaro, Mark Rylance and Cooper Hoffman, and dramatises Altman's 2023 firing and reinstatement at OpenAI. Garfield said he relied on extensive public interviews and reporting to shape his portrayal, while co-star Cooper Hoffman said separately that he was "shocked" Amazon had picked up the project in the first place.