Luca Guadagnino is set to trade tennis courts and seaside romances for silicon chips and corporate chaos. The acclaimed director is in talks to helm Artificial, a dramatic retelling of the whirlwind 2023 shake-up at OpenAI — and some major names are already circling the buzzy new film.
Leading the casting speculation is Andrew Garfield, who is reportedly in line to portray OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. The role would reunite Garfield with Guadagnino following After the Hunt, which hits theaters October 10. Known for his deeply introspective performances and emotional range, Garfield could be the perfect choice to capture Altman’s mix of idealism, ambition, and vulnerability during one of tech’s most chaotic weeks.
Joining him in the early casting rumor mill is A Complete Unknown breakout Monica Barbaro, who is being eyed to play Mira Murati, OpenAI’s chief technology officer. Murati played a pivotal role in the internal leadership crisis that saw Altman ousted and then rehired just five days later. Barbaro, fresh off high praise for her Dylan biopic performance, could bring sharp intelligence and emotional weight to the role of the poised but powerful Murati.
Another name generating early fan chatter is Russian actor Yura Borisov (Anora), who is said to be in the mix to play Ilya Sutskever, the OpenAI co-founder and chief scientist whose actions helped trigger the boardroom drama. Borisov’s quiet intensity and recent festival buzz make him a compelling choice for the conflicted Sutskever, a man torn between ideals and loyalty.
With the film set up at Amazon MGM Studios and a script by Saturday Night Live alum Simon Rich, Artificial is moving quickly. Production is reportedly aiming to begin this summer, with shoots planned in San Francisco and Italy. Heyday Films’ David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford are producing, along with Rich and Jennifer Fox.
The story at the center of Artificial is tailor-made for awards season: a visionary tech CEO, a company on the edge, ethical questions around AI development, and a leadership battle that played out in real time across social media and Slack channels.
Guadagnino’s involvement adds an unexpected layer of artistry to the project. Known for his work on Call Me by Your Name, Bones and All, and the stylish sports drama Challengers, the director brings a sense of intimacy and tension to everything he touches. His take on the OpenAI saga is likely to explore not just the high-stakes business drama, but also the human motivations behind a pivotal moment in tech history.
The project also marks Guadagnino’s third collaboration with Amazon MGM, following Challengers and After the Hunt. With his previously announced DC project Sgt. Rock no longer on the immediate horizon, Artificial is shaping up to be his next major move.
While casting hasn’t been finalized, fan anticipation is already surging. Who should play other key figures in the OpenAI boardroom drama? Will the film explore the ethical dilemmas of artificial intelligence or focus more on personal betrayals and power struggles?
