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Following the delay of his DC Studios project Sgt. Rock, director Luca Guadagnino is wasting no time lining up his next film. Sources say Guadagnino is in talks to direct Artificial at Amazon MGM Studios, with Andrew Garfield, Monica Barbaro, and breakout Anora star Yura Borisov in early discussions to lead the cast.
While the project remains in development as deals are not yet finalized, insiders suggest Artificial will dramatize the whirlwind events at artificial intelligence company OpenAI in 2023. During that period, CEO Sam Altman was abruptly fired and then reinstated within days, sparking intense industry and media scrutiny. The script is penned by Simon Rich, who is also producing alongside David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford of Heyday Films. Jennifer Fox is in talks to produce as well.
Guadagnino, known for his fast-paced work ethic, had been prepping Sgt. Rock with Colin Farrell set to star, but with that film pushed a full year, he quickly pivoted to new opportunities. After considering several projects, he landed on Artificial, a film that promises to explore power, disruption, and innovation within the high-stakes world of AI.
This marks another collaboration between Guadagnino and Amazon MGM Studios. The studio is also releasing his upcoming film After the Hunt, starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri, slated for theatrical release on October 10. Last year, Guadagnino and the studio teamed up for Challengers, starring Zendaya.
Andrew Garfield, represented by CAA and Gordon & French, is currently seeing a resurgence in film projects, while Monica Barbaro (UTA and Range) continues to rise after her turns in Top Gun: Maverick and other high-profile roles. Yura Borisov, repped by UTA and ColorCreative, has drawn acclaim for his performance in Sean Baker’s Anora, which has elevated his profile significantly in international markets.
Simon Rich, who wrote the script, is repped by CAA and brings a sharp comedic and satirical sensibility that could shape Artificial into a uniquely incisive look at modern tech culture. With David Heyman—known for producing the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts franchises—on board, expectations for Artificial are already high.
If all deals close as planned, production is expected to begin later this year.
