5 Sources
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Here's the Front-Runner to Play Elon Musk in Luca Guadagnino's AI Movie
Artificial is being described as a comedic drama about the world of artificial intelligence.  It seems like you haven’t really made it in Silicon Valley until a major movie actor plays you on film. Jesse Eisenberg portrayed Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network, and Michael Fassbender played Steve Jobs in the 2015 film Steve Jobs. Even Bill Gates was played by Anthony Michael Hall in the 1999 TV film Pirates of Silicon Valley. And now Elon Musk is reportedly next in line to get the Hollywood treatment. Deadline reported today that Ike Barinholtz, the star of The Studio, which earned him his first Emmy nomination, is in talks to play the Tesla CEO in Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming movie Artificial. Guadagnino is known for his stylish films that include Call Me by Your Name, Queer, and Challengers. And now the Italian director is taking on Silicon Valley next. Artificial is being described as a comedic drama about the world of artificial intelligence.  Specific plot details have not been officially announced yet, but sources told Deadline that the film will be about the time OpenAI CEO Sam Altman was suddenly fired from the company in 2023, only to be rehired four days later. Altman was initially ousted by the company’s board for allegedly not being “consistently candid in his communication with the board.†The New York Times reported at the time that Altman had tried to remove one of the directors, Helen Toner, after a research paper she co-authored was perceived by him as critical of OpenAI’s safety practices, while praising rival firm Anthropic. Microsoft quickly offered Altman a job, prompting most of OpenAI’s staff to threaten to quit. Eventually, Altman won the power struggle and returned to lead the company with much of the board replaced. Barinholtz would join a cast that currently includes includes Anora's Yura Borisov, Andrew Garfield, who played Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network, and Cooper Koch. Although it hasn’t been confirmed, some outlets speculate that Garfield would be playing Altman. Guadagnino also frequently works with Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, who famously scored The Social Network, so we might see the Nine Inch Nails frontman return his focus to tech bros. Musk cofounded OpenAI with Altman and others back in 2015, but he left in 2018, reportedly over disagreements about the company’s direction. He now runs a rival company, xAI. And the feud between the two has only escalated since. Earlier this year, Musk exited his role at the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and engaged in a public spat with Trump on social media. Around the same time, Altman joined Trump for a long one-on-one meeting. Trump later publicly praised Altman’s AI infrastructure efforts, which Musk has previously disparaged.
[2]
Emmy nominee likely to play Elon Musk in OpenAI movie 'Artificial' that might make tech titans cringe
In a move that's likely to spark conversations across boardrooms and Twitter threads alike, Amazon MGM Studios is gearing up for Artificial, a comedic drama centered around the world of artificial intelligence -- and one of its biggest catalysts, OpenAI. At the heart of this bold project? Emmy-nominated actor Ike Barinholtz, who is reportedly in talks to portray none other than Elon Musk, according to Variety. Barinholtz, who recently earned an Emmy nod for his performance in The Studio, will step into the shoes of the controversial billionaire who co-founded OpenAI but later became one of its most vocal critics. And if early script rumors are anything to go by, this portrayal may not be Musk-approved. Directed by Luca Guadagnino -- best known for Bones and All and Challengers -- Artificial is shaping up to be more than just a tech biopic. Penned by Simon Rich, the film is said to follow the high-stakes power shake-up at OpenAI in November 2023, when CEO Sam Altman was abruptly fired and sensationally reinstated within days. While Andrew Garfield is expected to take on the role of Altman, and Russian actor Yura Borisov is reportedly cast as Ilya Sutskever, the OpenAI co-founder who played a key role in the ouster, it's Barinholtz's potential turn as Musk that's generating the most buzz -- mainly because the script reportedly paints the Tesla and SpaceX head in less-than-flattering shades. Entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni, writing for Puck, claims to have seen the early script and warns that both Altman and Musk "will probably hate their portrayals." Musk, in particular, is said to be depicted as a figure of "comic relief and villainy," with at least one moment where he's referred to as a "dictator." Though Artificial zooms in on OpenAI's leadership drama, it appears the film won't stop there. Other high-profile tech players -- like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Microsoft's Satya Nadella -- are expected to make appearances, adding layers of satirical edge to the unfolding Silicon Valley saga. For Musk, whose complicated relationship with OpenAI includes co-founding it in 2015 and vocally criticizing it ever since, this cinematic depiction might feel particularly personal. Despite stepping away from the company in 2018, Musk has remained deeply engaged in AI development through his own ventures like Tesla, Neuralink, and xAI. His chatbot Grok, launched on X (formerly Twitter), made headlines recently for its unpredictable responses -- adding another twist to his AI legacy. With production expected to begin later this year and a planned 2026 release, Artificial promises to offer a sharply scripted, deeply human (and humorous) look into one of the most pivotal tech episodes in recent memory. Backed by powerhouse producers including David Heyman, Jeffrey Clifford, and Jennifer Fox, and distributed by Amazon MGM, the film already has the ingredients of a cultural talking point -- even before cameras roll. And if Elon Musk's reaction to the final cut is anything like what's being hinted at, Artificial might just be the movie Silicon Valley didn't ask for -- but might desperately need.
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Elon Musk-Sam Altman Rivalry To Come Alive In Amazon MGM's Upcoming Film 'Artificial', With Ike Barinholtz Likely To Play Musk: Report - Oracle (NYSE:ORCL), Amazon.com (NASDAQ:AMZN)
Ike Barinholtz, the actor known for his role in Apple's "The Studio," is in talks to play Elon Musk in an upcoming AI-themed film, "Artificial." The movie, directed by Luca Guadagnino, is set to be released by Amazon MGM Studios, owned by Amazon.com Inc. AMZN. What Happened: Barinholtz is set to portray the role of Tesla Inc. TSLA CEO Elon Musk, the world's richest person, in the new comedy-drama "Artificial," reported Deadline on Wednesday. The film is likely to center on the short-lived removal of billionaire Sam Altman as head of OpenAI in 2023. However, the official plot is yet to be revealed. The cast features Yura Borisov, Andrew Garfield and Cooper Koch. Garfield is slated to portray Sam Altman, co-founder and CEO of OpenAI, with Borisov playing the role of OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever. Barinholtz's character, Elon Musk, is depicted as a "dictator" and features in scenes of "villainy and comic relief," reported Puck earlier this month. The script for "Artificial" is penned by Simon Rich and produced by Heyday Films' David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford, along with Jennifer Fox. The project was announced in early June. SEE ALSO: Kevin O'Leary Calls Trump's No Tax On Home Sales Plan 'Common Sense': Shark Says, 'Families Can Grow Without Getting Punished' Why It Matters: The film's storyline is rooted in real-life events. The Tesla CEO has been making headlines for his comments on OpenAI's financial situation. Musk had previously stated that OpenAI and SoftBank did not have the funds for the $500 billion Stargate project. However, OpenAI recently announced a partnership with Oracle ORCL to expand the Stargate data center capacity, indicating a shift in the financial landscape. Earlier in the year, Musk faced legal backlash as Sam Altman-led OpenAI countersued him over alleged harassment tactics. The lawsuit claimed that Musk's tactics included press attacks, legal harassment, and an unsolicited bid for the company's assets. Moreover, Musk's criticism of the Trump administration led to a strained alliance between him and President Donald Trump. This situation was foreseen by Altman, CEO of OpenAI, who noted that Musk "busts up with everybody." READ MORE: Sam Altman Warns Of 'Impending Fraud Crisis' As Banks Still Use Voiceprints For Big Transactions: 'A Thing That Terrifies Me Is...' Image via Shutterstock Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors. AMZNAmazon.com Inc$229.240.42%Stock Score Locked: Want to See it? Benzinga Rankings give you vital metrics on any stock - anytime. Reveal Full ScoreEdge RankingsMomentum66.35Growth97.21Quality66.90Value49.50Price TrendShortMediumLongOverviewORCLOracle Corp$242.560.27%TSLATesla Inc$310.78-6.55%Market News and Data brought to you by Benzinga APIs
[4]
Ike Barinholtz to Play Elon Musk in AI Movie 'Artificial'
Amazon MGM is behind Artificial, which has Andrew Garfield and Anora breakout Yura Borisov set to star. When the project was first reported, the movie was said to be based on the artificial intelligence company OpenAI in 2023 that saw CEO Sam Altman fired and rehired in a matter of days. Musk was the co-founder of OpenAI, but after differing views of how to handle the business of the company, he publicly split from Altman and the company, entering into legal disputes. Heyday Films' David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford are set to produce. Simon Rich wrote the script and will also produce, with Jennifer Fox also in talks to produce. Guadagnino is set to debut his latest with Amazon MGM, the Julia Roberts-starring After the Hunt, at the Venice Film Festival. He previously worked with the studio on Challengers, Bones & All and Suspiria. Barinholtz can currently be seen in Hollywood satire The Studio from Seth Rogen on AppleTV+. He is repped by UTA, Artists First and Yorn Levine.
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The Studio Star Ike Barinholtz Reportedly Set to Play Elon Musk in Amazon Movie About ChatGPT Maker OpenAI - IGN
The Studio star Ike Barinholtz is reportedly set to play Elon Musk in Amazon's Artificial, a movie about ChatGPT maker OpenAI. The Hollywood Reporter said Barinholtz is in talks to play the X / Twitter and Tesla owner in Artificial, which also stars Spider-Man actor Andrew Garfield as OpenAI boss Sam Altman, and Anora actor Yura Borisov as OpenAI co-founder Iya Stuskever. Artificial is directed by Luca Guadagnino, who recently directed After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri. It hits theaters October 10. Guadagnino also directed last year's Challengers, starring Zendaya. Artificial will reportedly cover the dramatic firing and rehiring of Altman in 2023. Musk, an OpenAI co-founder, is ambroiled in a public spat with OpenAI over the way the business is run, and also has his own rival AI, Grok, built into X / Twitter. According to a report by Variety, Artificial is described as a "comedic drama set in the world of artificial intelligence." Photo by Robin L Marshall/Getty Images.
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Amazon MGM Studios is producing 'Artificial', a comedic drama about the world of AI, focusing on the OpenAI leadership crisis. Ike Barinholtz is in talks to play Elon Musk, with Andrew Garfield likely to portray Sam Altman.
Amazon MGM Studios is set to bring the high-stakes world of artificial intelligence to the big screen with their upcoming film 'Artificial'. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, known for his stylish works like 'Call Me by Your Name' and 'Challengers', the movie promises to be a comedic drama centered around the tumultuous events in the AI industry 1.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter
Emmy-nominated actor Ike Barinholtz is in talks to portray Elon Musk, the controversial billionaire and co-founder of OpenAI 2. Andrew Garfield, who previously played Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in 'The Social Network', is expected to take on the role of Sam Altman, OpenAI's CEO. The cast also includes Yura Borisov as Ilya Sutskever, another OpenAI co-founder 3.
While specific plot details remain under wraps, sources suggest that 'Artificial' will revolve around the dramatic events of November 2023, when Sam Altman was abruptly fired from OpenAI and then sensationally reinstated within days 4. This power struggle, which involved allegations of miscommunication and attempts to remove board members, sent shockwaves through the tech industry and highlighted the complex dynamics within AI companies.
Early script rumors indicate that the film may not paint a flattering picture of its subjects. Entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni claims that both Altman and Musk "will probably hate their portrayals" 2. Musk's character, in particular, is reportedly depicted as a figure of "comic relief and villainy", with at least one instance where he's referred to as a "dictator" 3.
The script for 'Artificial' is penned by Simon Rich, with production by Heyday Films' David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford, along with Jennifer Fox 5. The film is expected to begin production later this year, with a planned release in 2026, promising to offer a sharply scripted, deeply human, and humorous look into one of the most pivotal tech episodes in recent memory.
As 'Artificial' gears up for production, it's clear that this film aims to do more than just entertain. By dramatizing the complex relationships and power dynamics within the AI industry, it seeks to spark conversations about the future of technology and the personalities shaping it. Whether Silicon Valley will embrace or cringe at this portrayal remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: 'Artificial' is poised to be a cultural talking point long before its release.
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