Artificial distribution – After Amazon MGM backed out of releasing Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial,” Netflix and Focus Features also declined to move forward, leaving the film’s path to audiences in limbo as new distributors are reportedly being screened.
By Friday night, Luca Guadagnino’s “Artificial” had already lost one major backer—and by the weekend, it started losing more.
Amazon MGM, which developed the $40 million drama, announced it would not move forward with a planned early 2027 release, with a possible SXSW premiere next spring. The decision landed after weeks of expectation around the film’s rollout, and it quickly reshaped the search for a home.
Days later, other would-be suitors including Netflix and Focus Features pulled out of the race, according to multiple media reports. Netflix and Focus declined comment.
Amazon’s move came with immediate fallout. CAA Media Finance, which represents Guadagnino, screened the film for potential new distributors over the weekend. Mubi and Neon were reportedly among the companies interested.
Amazon MGM has insisted the company’s decision was not driven by the film’s subject matter or tone. The studio’s timing has attracted attention months after Amazon made a $50 billion investment in OpenAI as part of a cloud computing partnership. Amazon denied any connection to “Artificial. ” despite claims the drama features a caustic portrayal of CEO Sam Altman by lead star Andrew Garfield.
In a Friday statement. an Amazon spokesperson said. “We have the utmost respect and admiration for Luca Guadagnino as an award-winning filmmaker — not to mention a longstanding relationship that we hope to continue. We believe that ‘Artificial’ will be better served if it were released by a different studio and are working closely with the filmmaking team to find the film a new home.”.
“Artificial” focuses on a pivotal week in 2023 when Altman was fired and rehired by OpenAI. tracing the rise of the company behind ChatGPT through the perspective of idealistic co-founder Ilya Sutskever. played by “Anora” Oscar nominee Yura Borisov. Ike Barinholtz also stars as Elon Musk. who filed a lawsuit against Altman and OpenAI in 2024 that was dismissed last month.
The film’s ensemble cast includes Cooper Hoffman, Jason Schwartzman, Cooper Koch, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet, Chris O’Dowd and Mark Rylance. Simon Rich wrote the script.
There’s a clear question hanging over the scramble for distribution: if Mubi were to pick up “Artificial. ” would it follow the kind of specialty path that can turn a damaged rollout into a breakout?. If it happens. the film would be on a similar track to “The Substance. ” a body horror title that was dropped by Universal before its Cannes premiere. “The Substance” later earned multiple Oscar nominations and grossed $77.3 million worldwide. helping establish Mubi as a player in the specialty film market.
Reps for Mubi, Warner Bros., A24 and Neon did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
For now, the only certainty is that the clock has moved. Amazon MGM has stepped back from its early 2027 plans, Netflix and Focus Features have declined to join, and the film is back in the hands of representatives searching for a studio willing to carry it into the spotlight.
Luca Guadagnino Artificial Netflix Focus Features Amazon MGM Andrew Garfield Sam Altman OpenAI Yura Borisov distribution SXSW Mubi Neon Billie Lourd Mark Rylance