Andrew Garfield: Amazon Dropped 'Artificial' & Wants to Me

Andrew Garfield has confirmed in an exclusive interview with USA Film News that Amazon has officially pulled the plug on the upcoming project “Artificial,” a film that had been in development with the actor attached. In the same conversation, the two-time Oscar nominee also revealed a surprising new ambition: he wants to meet OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

Garfield, best known for his portrayal of the webslinger in The Amazing Spider-Man, said the decision came as a disappointment but added that he understands the shifting priorities at the streaming giant. “It’s always tough when something you’ve invested in emotionally doesn’t get to see the light of day,” Garfield told USA Film News. “But I respect that Amazon has to make business calls. The project was ambitious, maybe too ambitious for where we are right now.”

Details about “Artificial” remain scarce. The film had not yet announced a director, a runtime, or a release date, and its genre was never made public. Sources close to the production described it as a high-concept thriller that grappled with themes of sentience and machine ethics - territory that has become increasingly crowded as Hollywood rushes to capitalize on the AI boom. According to Garfield, the script tackled big questions about consciousness and what it means to be human, but ultimately Amazon executives felt the market was not ready for such a cerebral take.

“They were very respectful about it,” Garfield said. “We had a meeting, maybe three weeks ago, and they just said, ‘We don’t think we can do this story justice right now. The technology is moving so fast that anything we script could be outdated by the time we shoot it.’” He added with a rueful smile, “I don’t know if that made me feel better or worse.”

Garfield’s Interest in AI and Sam Altman

The actor’s fascination with artificial intelligence did not end with the project’s cancellation. When asked what he plans to do next, Garfield surprised many by saying he would like to sit down with Altman, the man behind ChatGPT and a central figure in the current AI revolution.

“I’m not some tech guy who can code or build a model,” Garfield said. “But I am an actor, and I think actors have a unique perspective on what it means to be a conscious being. We spend our lives trying to simulate other people’s consciousness. I’d love to talk to Sam about what he thinks real consciousness looks like, and whether a machine can ever truly have one.”

Garfield’s interest appears rooted in the same questions that fueled “Artificial.” He noted that during his preparation for the role, he read extensively on neural networks and the philosophy of mind, which only sharpened his curiosity about the people building these systems. “OpenAI, DeepMind, all these labs - they’re writing the next chapter of the human story,” he said. “And Sam is right in the middle of it. I’d like to look him in the eye and ask, ‘Are you nervous? Because I am.’”

The actor acknowledged that his request might seem unusual for a Hollywood star, but he sees it as a natural extension of his craft. “I’ve played Spider-Man, a guy who wrestles with responsibility and identity. I’ve played a man dying of AIDS, I’ve played a soldier. Now I want to understand the person who might be creating the next dominant intelligence on Earth. That feels like a role worth preparing for.”

Garfield would not confirm whether any meeting has been scheduled, but he said he has reached out through mutual contacts. “No response yet,” he said with a laugh. “Maybe Sam thinks I’m just another actor trying to get a cameo in his life. But I’m serious. The door is open.”

The Bigger Picture

Amazon’s decision to drop “Artificial” comes amid a broader recalibration in the streaming industry. After years of greenlighting dozens of high-concept projects, major platforms have become more cautious, particularly around stories that directly involve emerging tech. Several other AI-themed productions have been shelved or reworked in recent months, as studios fear that audiences are fatigued by the topic or that the real-world developments will outpace fictional ones.

Garfield, for his part, remains optimistic. He said he still hopes to explore the themes of “Artificial” in some form, perhaps as a limited series or even on stage. “A story that asks ‘What makes us human?’ never really dies,” he said. “It just waits for the right time.”

As for his desire to meet Altman, the actor made clear it is not a publicity stunt. “I don’t want a photo op or a podcast episode. I genuinely want to have a conversation. I think we’d have a lot to say to each other.”

For now, Garfield’s next confirmed project remains under wraps, but he hinted that he is reading several scripts that take a lighter tone. “After ‘Artificial,’ I could use a comedy,” he said. “Or at least something that doesn’t end with a robot crying.”

The exclusive interview with Andrew Garfield was conducted on July 28, 2026, in Los Angeles.

Source: Variety