NEW YORK (AP) — “Artificial,” Luca Guadagnino's starry film about Sam Altman and OpenAI, has been acquired by the indie distributor Neon after it was dropped by Amazon MGM Studios.
Neon said Tuesday that it bought the film following a bidding process. Amazon dropped the nearly complete $40 million film, starring Andrew Garfield as Altman, earlier this month, a surprise move that came just months after Amazon announced a $50 billion investment in OpenAI.
Amazon said then that “Artificial” would “be better served if it were released by a different studio.”
Neon said Tuesday that it will release “Artificial” this year and “compete in this year's Oscar race.” The film, which chronicles the days leading up to the 2023 firing and reinstatement of Altman as OpenAI chief executive, also stars Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov and Academy Award winner Mark Rylance. Ike Barinholtz plays Elon Musk.
In late February, Amazon signed an expansive multiyear partnership with the artificial intelligence startup. Then earlier this month, Amazon MGM said it would put the film up for sale to find it a new home.
Neon has established an enviable awards-season track record with Oscar winners like “Parasite” and “Anora.” The specialty label has backed the last seven Palme d'Or winners at the Cannes Film Festival. The studio declined to disclose how much it paid for the worldwide rights to “Artificial.”
“The acquisition underscores Neon’s commitment to partnering with visionary filmmakers, and bringing ambitious cinema to audiences around the world,” the studio said in a statement.
FILE - CEO of OpenAI Sam Altman talks to CEO of Google DeepMind Demis Hassabis, not seen, on the sidelines of the G7 summit, Wednesday, June 17, 2026, in Evian-les-Bains, France. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson,File)
SEATTLE (AP) — Ian Happ and Pedro Ramírez each hit grand slams and had five RBIs, Pete Crow-Armstrong also homered and the Chicago Cubs blew out the Seattle Mariners 19-2 on Sunday to avoid a three-game sweep.
Michael Conforto hit Chicago's other homer, getting his 11th of the season on a leadoff shot in the third that Happ highlighted with his two-out, two-strike shot with the bases loaded.
Mariners starter Bryce Miller (4-8) issued three straight two-out walks before facing Happ. The Seattle right-hander got ahead in the count 1-2, but Happ kept his hands tucked on a down-and-in splitter to blast it off the right-field foul pole for his 22nd home run of the season.
Seattle (62-69) remained three games behind Houston in the AL West and fell three games back for the final wild-card spot. The Cubs (75-56) preserved a 4 1/2 -game lead in the NL wild card.
Miller also walked the bases loaded in the fifth, an inning in which Chicago scored on a fielder’s choice by Alex Bregman. Miller issued a career-high seven walks in the game.
Ramírez hit a grand slam in the eighth off Jhonny Pereda, Seattle’s backup catcher. Crow-Armstrong hit his team-leading 33rd home run of the season earlier in the inning.
Aaron Civale (6-7) threw four scoreless innings in relief of Chicago starter Shota Imanaga, who was pulled in the third.
Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena, who hit a walk-off home run during Saturday’s 5-4 win, smacked a leadoff home run for the second straight day. Arozarena became the 11th player in major league history with at least six seasons with both 20 or more home runs and 20 or more stolen bases.
Seattle utilityman Brendan Donovan was placed on the seven-day concussion injured list on Sunday, a day after he was hit in the head by a baseball in the batting cages.
Mariners RHP Logan Gilbert (10-7, 3.35 ERA) will start opposite Phillies RHP Zack Wheeler (10-4, 2.92) on Monday as Seattle opens a three-game series against Philadelphia. RHP Kevin Gausman (6-11, 4.58) gets the nod for the Cubs against the Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly (8-11, 5.37) on Monday in Arizona.
See AP’s full MLB coverage here
Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Aaron Civale throws against the Seattle Mariners during the fourth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Chicago Cubs' Pedro Ramírez celebrates scoring on an RBI single from Carson Kelly against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Bryce Miller looks on after walking Chicago Cubs' Pete Crow-Armstrong during the fifth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Fans react as the grand slam from Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ against the Seattle Mariners goes into the stands during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Chicago Cubs' Ian Happ hits a grand slam against the Seattle Mariners during the third inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Aug. 23, 2026, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
