Sam Altman’s claim of meeting Andrew Garfield is being disputed by the Hollywood actor. The OpenAI CEO recently said that he unexpectedly encountered the actor filming Artificial outside his San Francisco home and that they exchanged waves. However, Garfield, who portrays Altman in the upcoming film, has now confirmed that he has never met or seen Altman in person.“I wasn’t there,” Garfield told GQ when asked about Altman’s account. The former Spider-Man actor said he had watched the interview several times because the story confused him. Meanwhile, an OpenAI representative reaffirmed that Altman was home during filming and waved at Garfield.
What did Sam Altman say happened
In an October interview with Vanity Fair, Altman recalled walking out for coffee and unexpectedly running into the production. He said he saw someone dressed like him, carrying the same backpack and reproducing his mannerisms. Altman described the sight as a glitch in a simulation. He said the pair exchanged waves before going their separate ways, and he credited Garfield with capturing his walk.Garfield confirmed that filming took place outside Altman’s house but disputed the interaction. He said the production had been told Altman was away and suggested the executive might have mistaken someone else for him.
What Andrew Garfield said about playing Altman in Artificial
Directed by Luca Guadagnino, whose films include Challengers and Call Me by Your Name, Artificial follows OpenAI’s internal struggle over Altman’s brief dismissal and return as CEO in November 2023.Earlier this year on BroBible’s Post Credit Podcast, Garfield discussed portraying Altman and his role in The Uprising, a film about the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381.“You could say you playing an emperor, a modern emperor, and then you play someone who’s at the mercy of the rules and the decisions the emperors are making,” Garfield said of the two roles. “And then there’s Sam, who I do believe feels like he is the right leader for this moment; who has chosen the position. Or maybe he actually perceives it as having been thrust upon him as well; I don’t know. I feel like that’s a genuine self-belief. And you hope there’s healthy questioning in there.”Originally developed at Amazon MGM Studios before moving to Neon, Artificial is scheduled to open in US theatres on Christmas Day.