Ike Barinholtz, best known for his comedic roles in The Mindy Project and The Studio, has been cast as Elon Musk in Luca Guadagnino‘s upcoming film Artificial. The movie will focus on the dramatic events at OpenAI in 2023 when CEO Sam Altman was fired and rehired within days. Barinholtz, who recently earned an Emmy nomination, is set to bring humor and satire to the role of the controversial tech billionaire.
Ike Barinholtz: From Comedy Star to Elon Musk
Barinholtz started his career on the sketch comedy show MADtv and later gained fame as Morgan Tookers in The Mindy Project. He has also appeared in hit movies like Neighbors, Blockers, and Suicide Squad. Recently, he earned praise for his role in The Studio, an Apple TV+ series that landed him an Emmy nomination.
Known for his celebrity impressions, Barinholtz has mimicked Arnold Schwarzenegger, Mark Wahlberg, and Russell Brand. His ability to transform into different personalities makes him a strong choice to play Musk, who is known for his unpredictable public persona.
Barinholtz has also shown his competitive side on TV game shows. He won $1 million on Celebrity Jeopardy! and another $1 million on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? with his father, donating the prize money to charity.
What Is Artificial About?
Artificial is a comedy-drama that will explore the chaotic leadership shakeup at OpenAI in November 2023. The film centers on Sam Altman, the company’s CEO, who was fired by the board and then rehired after massive employee protests.
Andrew Garfield will play Altman, while Yura Borisov (known for Anora) is rumored to play Ilya Sutskever, an OpenAI co-founder who pushed for Altman’s removal. The script is written by Simon Rich, who previously worked on An American Pickle and Saturday Night Live.
Elon Musk, played by Barinholtz, will appear in a supporting role. Musk co-founded OpenAI in 2015 but left in 2018 due to disagreements over the company’s direction. Since then, he has criticized OpenAI and even launched a rival AI company, xAI.
Elon Musk’s Controversial Relationship With OpenAI
Musk has been in a public feud with OpenAI, accusing the company of abandoning its original mission. In 2024, he filed a lawsuit claiming he was tricked into co-founding the company. He later made a $97.4 billion takeover bid, which OpenAI rejected.
Altman responded to Musk’s offer with a sarcastic post:
“No thank you, but we will buy Twitter for $9.74 billion if you want.”
OpenAI later countersued Musk, accusing him of launching “malicious campaigns” against the company. The legal battles and Musk’s outspoken criticism will likely be key elements in Artificial.
Luca Guadagnino’s Vision for the Film
Guadagnino, the director behind Call Me by Your Name and Challengers, is known for blending drama with sharp humor. Artificial will be his first major comedy, and early reports suggest it will have a satirical tone, similar to The Big Short or Don’t Look Up.
The film is produced by Heyday Films, the company behind the Harry Potter series. Production is expected to begin later in 2025, with a possible 2026 release.
How Fans Are Reacting
Casting Barinholtz as Musk has sparked mixed reactions online. Some fans think his comedic background is perfect, while others wonder if he can capture Musk’s intensity.
“Ike Barinholtz is hilarious, but Elon Musk is such a complex figure. Can he pull it off?” – Twitter user @TechTalker
“This casting is genius. Barinholtz does great impressions, and Musk is basically a real-life cartoon character.” – Reddit user u/AIFan2025
Barinholtz’s Biggest Challenge
Playing Elon Musk won’t be easy. Musk is one of the most polarizing figures in tech, known for his bold statements, social media antics, and legal battles. Barinholtz will need to balance humor with the seriousness of Musk’s influence in AI and space exploration.
If successful, this role could elevate Barinholtz from a comedy star to a leading dramatic actor.
Other Cast Members and Production Details
Alongside Barinholtz and Garfield, the film will feature:
- Monica Barbaro (Top Gun: Maverick) in an undisclosed role.
- Cooper Koch (The Franchise) as another key character.
The movie is backed by Amazon MGM Studios, which previously worked with Guadagnino on Challengers and Bones and All.
When Will Artificial Release?
Filming is expected to start in late 2025. If post-production goes smoothly, the movie could hit theaters in 2026. No official release date has been announced yet.
Why This Movie Matters
Artificial isn’t just a comedy—it’s a snapshot of a pivotal moment in tech history. The OpenAI drama revealed how power struggles in AI companies can impact the entire industry. By turning this into a film, Guadagnino could make complex tech debates accessible to a wider audience.
With Barinholtz as Musk, Garfield as Altman, and a sharp script by Simon Rich, Artificial has the potential to be one of the most talked-about movies of 2026.
Also read: Kanye West Begs Elon Musk and Donald Trump to Stop Feuding; Fans React With Memes
Credits: Research and reporting based on verified sources including Variety, The Guardian, Deadline, and IMDb.
