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Ike Barinholtz cast in "Artificial" as this famous tech titan

By Chris Morgan | Last updated Jul 23, 2025 2:54 PM ET

Previously we've commented on some notable casting in Luca Guadagnino's upcoming movie "Artificial." Oscar and Emmy nominees abound. Well, another 2025 Emmy nominee has been added to the cast. Ike Barinholtz, nominated for "The Studio," is set to join "Artificial." That's cool, but that's not what makes this particularly notable. Evidently Barinholtz will be playing Elon Musk.

So, clearly, "Artificial" is going to be a ripped-from-the-headlines movie in some way. It's about AI, and Musk was the co-founder of OpenAI. There have been reports the film is about Sam Altman and his role with OpenAI, and Musk being a character in the film makes that feel more likely. It also adds to the intrigue, in terms of Barinholtz's take on Musk, a public figure most people have a sense of. If nothing else, his take will likely be more subtle than Mike Myers on "SNL."

Before "Artificial," though, next up for Guadagnino is "After the Hunt," which feels like it could be an Oscar player based on the trailer.

(h/t The Hollywood Reporter)

Chris Morgan

Chris Morgan is a Detroit-based culture writer who has somehow managed to justify getting his BA in Film Studies. He has written about sports and entertainment across various internet platforms for years and is also the author of three books about '90s television.

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