Artificial
Biographical comedy-drama about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's controversial 2023 firing and rehiring. Directed by Luca Guadagnino. Stars Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, Yura Borisov. Also features Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, Mark Rylance, Jason Schwartzman. $40 million budget.
About
Artificial is an upcoming biographical comedy drama directed by Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) and written by Simon Rich for Amazon MGM Studios. The film dramatizes one of Silicon Valley's most dramatic episodes: the controversial firing and rapid rehiring of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in November 2023, an event that sent shockwaves through the tech industry and raised fundamental questions about the future of artificial intelligence. Andrew Garfield stars as Sam Altman, with Monica Barbaro as OpenAI CTO Mira Murati and Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk. The stacked ensemble also includes Mark Rylance, Jason Schwartzman, Billie Lourd, Zosia Mamet, Chris O'Dowd, Cooper Hoffman, Cooper Koch, Yura Borisov, Will Angus, Thaddea Graham, Nicholas Hamilton, Angus Imrie, and Will Price. The film carries a reported $40 million budget. Principal photography began on July 30, 2025, in San Francisco, with early scenes captured at Dolores Park and around the city's tech corridors. The production subsequently moved to Turin, Italy, for additional filming, reflecting Guadagnino's Italian roots and his preference for international production. The San Francisco locations provide authentic backdrops for the OpenAI offices and Silicon Valley settings central to the story. Guadagnino's involvement elevates what could have been a straightforward tech-world docudrama into something more ambitious. His eye for interpersonal dynamics and visual storytelling, combined with Rich's comedy writing background (Saturday Night Live, Miracle Workers), promises a film that balances humor with the high-stakes corporate intrigue of the AI arms race.
Filming Locations
5 locationsThe Presidio
Presidio of San Francisco, CA 94129
Scenes at Coit Tower and Presidio area. National park filming permit required.
San Francisco
Aug 8, 2025 - Aug 12, 2025
Atelier Crenn Restaurant
3127 Fillmore St, San Francisco, CA 94123
Filming at Dominique Crenn's Michelin-starred Marina District restaurant.
San Francisco
Aug 5, 2025 - Aug 8, 2025
Stable Cafe
2128 Folsom St, San Francisco, CA 94110
Interior cafe scenes. Mission District location.
San Francisco
Aug 3, 2025 - Aug 6, 2025
Lombard Street / Pacific Heights
Lombard Street near Sam Altman residence, San Francisco, CA
Andrew Garfield filmed scenes outside OpenAI CEO Sam Altman's actual Pacific Heights home.
San Francisco
Aug 1, 2025 - Aug 10, 2025
Dolores Park
Dolores Park, San Francisco, CA 94114
Principal photography began July 30, 2025. Jason Schwartzman and Yura Borisov spotted filming on benches.
San Francisco
Jul 30, 2025 - Aug 15, 2025
Sources
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