# Amazon MGM’s exit from Artificial did not fully surprise Garfield

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/andrew-garfield-on-amazon-dropping-artificial-and-wanting-to-meet-sam-altman-exclusive/
- Published: 2026-07-30T11:32:05+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-30T17:48:41+00:00
- Original publisher: Variety
- Original article: https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/andrew-garfield-amazon-artificial-sam-altman-1236823821/
- Topics: AI, Art, Celebrity, Culture, Entertainment, Film, Technology

## Key points

- Neon takes over Altman film after Amazon MGM withdraws.
- Garfield says the decision was only partly surprising.
- The $40 million film targets this year’s Oscars.

## Summary

Andrew Garfield said Amazon MGM Studios’ decision to drop “Artificial”, Luca Guadagnino’s film about Sam Altman and OpenAI, did not entirely surprise him. He said the studio had supported the production, but suggested the film was ultimately better suited to another distributor; its move to Neon keeps it on course for an awards campaign and this year’s Oscar race.

The nearly completed film, which cost about $40 million, dramatises Altman’s 2023 firing and subsequent reinstatement as OpenAI chief, with Garfield playing Altman. Amazon said the project would be better served elsewhere after striking an OpenAI partnership involving a $50 billion investment; Neon subsequently acquired it. Garfield said he did not contact Altman for research, relying instead on extensive public interviews, footage and reporting, though he would be interested in meeting him.

## Coverage

- [Variety: Amazon MGM’s exit from Artificial did not fully surprise Garfield](https://variety.com/2026/film/columns/andrew-garfield-amazon-artificial-sam-altman-1236823821/)
- [The Hollywood Reporter: Andrew Garfield Weighs in on Drama Surrounding OpenAI Film ‘Artificial’](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/andrew-garfield-drama-openai-film-artificial-1236659418/)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.