Actor Ike Barinholtz Eyed to Play Elon Musk in Guadagnino’s AI Satire Artificial
Actor Ike Barinholtz may take on the role of tech titan Elon Musk in Artificial, Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming comedic drama about OpenAI’s tumultuous real-life power struggle.
Justin Pacheco, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino is positioning his next film Artificial to dramatize the chaotic story of OpenAI’s leadership drama in 2023, centered on Sam Altman’s abrupt firing and swift reinstatement. Now, Emmy-nominated actor Ike Barinholtz is reportedly in talks to portray Elon Musk in what insiders describe as a satirical, even irreverent take on Silicon Valley power dynamics.
Sources say Andrew Garfield is attached to play Sam Altman, while Yura Borisov is in consideration for the role of Ilya Sutskever, another key OpenAI figure. Monica Barbaro—who announced she will co-star with Garfield in the same film at Cannes—is expected to play a fictionalized executive caught in the orbit of these tech giants
Guadagnino’s films are known for emotional depth and visual intuition, and industry observers believe Artificial will blend humor and high stakes in a way that humanizes a corporation often seen as enigmatic and powerful. Written by Simon Rich, the screenplay reportedly balances real events and fictional dialogue, with a satirical eye on characters who helped shape real AI controversy.
Filming is expected to start later this summer in San Francisco and Italy, backed by Amazon MGM Studios. The production is reportedly fast-tracked, with potential festival debut lined up for 2026
The project is significant not just for its ambition but for its timing: AI’s cultural influence is accelerating just as real-world tech titans face scrutiny. Musk’s public feud with OpenAI—culminating in board exits and lawsuits—served as narrative fodder for the film. According to casting insiders, Barinholtz is drawn to the complexity of portraying Musk—not as outright villain, but as a deeply human (and contradictory) driver of AI’s future.
With Guadagnino and Garfield, the project already carries artistic credibility. Add Barinholtz—known for comedic depth and emotional versatility—and Artificial may become a lightning rod in Hollywood’s unfolding conversation about tech, ethics, and storytelling.
Still, the film’s satirical edge may raise eyebrows in Silicon Valley. Past films like The Social Network have shaped public perceptions of tech giants—here, Guadagnino might stir similar conversation about AI’s corporate founders and the moral weight of invention. As the industry watches, Artificial may spell whether Hollywood can dramatize real-world AI drama responsibly.