Andrew Garfield stars as Sam Altman in Luca Guadagnino film Artificial

Actor Andrew Garfield attended the world premiere of director Luca Guadagnino's new film, Artificial, on Monday night at the New York Film Festival, Deadline and Variety both reported. In the film, Mr Garfield portrays OpenAI co-founder and chief executive Sam Altman. Deadline and Variety noted that the movie depicts the five-day period in 2023 when Mr Altman was ousted from OpenAI and subsequently rehired. [1][2][3][4]

Speaking at the premiere, Mr Garfield admitted that he was initially charmed when watching Mr Altman testify to Congress, according to Variety. However, after months of preparing day in and day out by watching footage and studying Mr Altman, Mr Garfield stated that his view changed, Deadline reported. The actor said he aimed to highlight the risks posed by OpenAI and its chief executive, describing the character as calculating and a danger to humanity. [1][2]

Mr Altman addressed the film for the first time in a cover story with Vanity Fair, Variety reported. The chief executive stated that he has never met Mr Garfield, but he recalled waving at the actor when the production was filming outside his house. Mr Altman noted that watching the actor walk like him made him feel as if he were in a strange glitch of the simulation. [3]

Film distributor Neon has set its Oscar campaign for Artificial, placing Mr Garfield in the supporting actor category and co-star Yura Borisov in the lead actor category, Variety reported. Sixteen years prior, Mr Garfield portrayed Facebook co-founder Eduardo Saverin in The Social Network, a role that also focused on a founder pushed out of a tech company. [4]