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Netflix and Focus Features Move to Acquire Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’ After Amazon MGM Studios Drops Altman-OpenAI Drama
The Apex Times

THE APEX TIMES

Culture/The Apex Times/Jun 21, 3:55 PM EDT

Netflix and Focus Features Move to Acquire Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’ After Amazon MGM Studios Drops Altman-OpenAI Drama

The Hollywood Reporter reports that Netflix has put a Focus Pass on Luca Guadagnino’s project “Artificial,” following Amazon MGM Studios’ decision to drop a separate Sam Altman-OpenAI movie.

By The Apex Times Newsroom2 min readAI-assisted Apex article

Netflix has reportedly moved to secure Luca Guadagnino’s drama “Artificial” after Amazon MGM Studios dropped a separate film project tied to Sam Altman and OpenAI, according to a report by The Hollywood Reporter on June 21, 2026. The report says Netflix and Focus Features are acting through a “Focus Pass,” a mechanism used by the companies to fast-track selection and packaging for particular titles.

The Guadagnino project, described in the report as an alt-art and tech-adjacent drama, is now positioned for an acquisition process after Amazon MGM Studios exited its competing Altman-OpenAI effort. The Hollywood Reporter said the shift changes the competitive field for buyers seeking high-profile projects with major creator names and recognizable crossover subject matter.

In addition to Netflix’s reported involvement, The Hollywood Reporter also notes that A24 is said to have screened the film. However, the report characterizes “Artificial” as still having unclear standing in the race to acquire the drama, suggesting there is not yet a confirmed end-point agreement among bidders.

Amazon MGM Studios’ reported decision to drop the Altman-OpenAI movie created a new vacancy for large studios or streamers looking to attach themselves to projects at the intersection of artificial intelligence themes and mainstream creator platforms. The Hollywood Reporter does not attribute the decision in its headline summary, but the report frames Amazon MGM’s exit as a practical change to ongoing negotiations and delivery timelines for the broader package of these films.

Guadagnino, known for directing and producing character-driven dramas with international reach, has been attached to “Artificial,” and Netflix’s reported Focus Pass indicates the streaming service and Focus Features are prioritizing the film for potential release planning. While the report does not provide a release date, it indicates that the movie’s acquisition prospects have improved in the wake of Amazon MGM’s exit.

For now, industry watchers are left with partial information. The Hollywood Reporter’s account indicates A24 has seen the film, and Netflix is reported to be pursuing it, but neither a final acquisition winner nor distribution terms are confirmed in the available details. Further announcements would be expected once negotiations close and rights holders finalize distribution and marketing plans.

Why It Matters

  • The reported Netflix Focus Pass suggests a faster path for “Artificial” to land with a major distributor, affecting timelines for production completion and release planning.
  • Amazon MGM Studios’ exit from an Altman-OpenAI film project appears to have shifted bargaining leverage and acquisition attention toward remaining options.
  • If multiple major buyers screen the same title, distribution terms and marketing scope can vary substantially for creators and production teams depending on who ultimately acquires rights.
  • High-visibility projects anchored by well-known directors can draw audience interest and investment interest quickly, especially when a competitor drops out of the field.

Sources

Key Facts

  • The Hollywood Reporter reported on June 21, 2026 that Netflix has put a Focus Pass on Luca Guadagnino’s drama “Artificial.”
  • The reported Netflix move comes after Amazon MGM Studios dropped a separate Sam Altman-OpenAI movie project.
  • The report says A24 screened “Artificial,” though its competitive standing to acquire the film is described as unclear.
  • The story frames the situation as changing the acquisition landscape among major studios and streamers tied to high-profile creator-driven projects.
Netflix and Focus Features Move to Acquire Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Artificial’ After Amazon MGM Studios Drops Altman-OpenAI Drama | The Apex Times