Andrew Garfield Discusses Playing Sam Altman in ‘Artificial’

Andrew Garfield has opened up about portraying OpenAI co-founder and CEO Sam Altman in the upcoming biopic Artificial, saying he relied on the film’s script, court transcripts, interviews and other research to prepare for the role.

“I don’t know Sam Altman. I’ve never met him,” Garfield told Esquire. He said playing someone with Altman’s level of influence required him to explore uncomfortable aspects of human nature, including ambition, opportunism and the pursuit of power.

Garfield also addressed reports that he is dating actress Monica Barbaro. He said he does not intend to discuss his private relationships publicly, adding that he might reconsider that boundary in the future but was not making any promises.

Directed by Luca Guadagnino, Artificial focuses on the five-day leadership crisis at OpenAI in 2023, when Altman was fired and later reinstated as CEO.

Amazon MGM Studios initially developed and financed the film but later withdrew from distributing it after announcing a major partnership and investment involving OpenAI. The studio said the film would be better served by another distributor.

Neon subsequently acquired the movie and plans to release it later this year, with the goal of qualifying it for the Academy Awards.