Andrew Garfield takes on the role of controversial OpenAI CEO Sam Altman in the upcoming biopic "Artificial," directed by Luca Guadagnino. The first trailer for the film, which focuses on Altman's brief firing and subsequent rehiring at OpenAI in 2023, was released on Tuesday and has already generated mixed responses from viewers.
Some social media users have expressed skepticism about the film's premise, with one commenter stating, "No one asked for a Sam Altman biopic. Dude got fired for 5 days and they made a whole Oscar bait movie about it. We live in hell." Others noted Garfield's previous role in "The Social Network," a film about the founding of Facebook. "Bro gets to star in a biopic about both Facebook and Open AI," one user remarked, with another calling Garfield "a legend" for his involvement in "the two most pivotal and scathing films about tech in the 21st century."
"Artificial" faced a tumultuous production journey after its distributor, Amazon MGM Studios, dropped the project shortly after Amazon announced a $50 billion deal with OpenAI. Producers reportedly sought other distributors for months, with Netflix, A24, and Warner Bros. allegedly passing on the film before Neon ultimately acquired it, according to The New York Times.
Garfield also stars in the upcoming historical action film "The Uprising: The Rise of Robin Hood," which depicts the 1381 Peasants' Revolt in England. During a recent Q&A, Garfield was asked about his hopes for the audience's takeaway from that project, stating, "I hope that if any billionaires watch it, they're scared s***less."
His comments drew criticism on social media, particularly from former Los Angeles mayoral candidate Spencer Pratt, who questioned Garfield's stance given his own earnings. "You mean...like the billionaires who greenlight your movies and stroke all your multi-million dollar paychecks? Or they good?" Pratt posted on X. "Ironically, Garfield just got paid like $5M for playing billionaire Sam Altman in Artificial."
Garfield, a British-American actor, gained wider recognition for roles in films such as "Never Let Me Go" and "The Social Network" in 2010. He later portrayed Spider-Man in "The Amazing Spider-Man" in 2012. As of 2026, his net worth is reportedly around $16 million.