Neon has acquired the film ‘Artificial’ directed by Luca Guadagnino, emphasizing its focus on ambitious cinema. This acquisition follows Amazon MGM Studios’ decision to drop the nearly completed $40 million project. Neon plans to release the film this year and aims to enter it in the Oscar race.
The film, starring Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, explores the events leading up to the firing and reinstatement of Altman as the CEO of OpenAI in 2023. The cast includes Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov, and Oscar winner Mark Rylance. Ike Barinholtz portrays Elon Musk.
Amazon had previously announced a substantial $50 billion investment in OpenAI and had entered a multiyear partnership with the AI startup in February. Despite this, Amazon MGM decided earlier this year that ‘Artificial’ would benefit from a release by a different studio, prompting the sale.
Neon is known for its strong performance during awards season, having supported films like ‘Parasite’ and ‘Anora.’ The studio has been behind the last seven Palme d’Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival, showcasing its track record in traveling a path with visionary filmmakers.
Although Neon did not disclose the purchase price for ‘Artificial,’ the acquisition signals its dedication to bringing innovative films to global audiences.
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