Chris O’Dowd is joining director Luca Guadagnino’s star-studded Artificial, Amazon MGM’s comedic drama inspired by the turbulent real-life events at artificial intelligence company OpenAI.

The film features Andrew Garfield, Yura Borisov, and Monica Barbaro in leading roles, alongside Jason Schwartzman, Cooper Hoffman, Ike Barinholtz, Cooper Koch, Billie Lourd, and Zosia Mamet. Garfield takes on the role of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, whose sudden firing and reinstatement in late 2023 made global headlines.

That year, amid escalating safety concerns about AI and allegations of abusive behaviour, Altman was abruptly removed from his position by the board. Just five days later, following a staff revolt, he returned as CEO.

O’Dowd’s role in the film remains under wraps. This marks his first feature film since 2022’s fantasy adventure Slumberland. The Tony-nominated and Emmy-winning actor recently created, directed, and starred in the Sky original Small Town, Big Story and is drawing Emmy buzz for his turn in the Black Mirror episode Common People.

Written by Simon Rich, Artificial is produced by Rich alongside Heyday Films’ David Heyman and Jeffrey Clifford, as well as Jennifer Fox. Production is currently underway.

Guadagnino is meanwhile gearing up for the release of his upcoming film, After The Hunt. The film is his first collaboration with Garfield, before Artificial. After The Hunt also stars Julia Roberts, Ayo Edebiri, Chloe Sevigny, and Michael Stuhlbarg.