Amazon Cancels Sam Altman Biopic After OpenAI Deal

Amazon MGM Studios has canceled the Sam Altman biopic, "Artificial," starring Andrew Garfield. The film was nearly finished and set for an awards season release. What's interesting is this decision follows Amazon's $50 billion partnership with OpenAI, announced in February 2026. This investment focuses on AI development and Amazon Web Services infrastructure. The film's story centers on Altman's firing and rehiring by the OpenAI board in November 2023. The studio's official statement says "Artificial" would be "better served" at a different studio. Amazon is helping the creative team find a new distributor for the project, which had a budget of approximately $40 million. While Amazon hasn't publicly linked the film's cancellation to the OpenAI deal, this move signals the company's strong prioritization of its AI partnership. The bottom line is this shows the significant weight Amazon places on its relationship with OpenAI, even over a completed film project.