The Emmy-nominated comedian brings Musk into Luca Guadagnino’s AI satire, joining a high-profile ensemble cast.

July 24, 2025: Actor and comedian Ike Barinholtz has been tapped to portray tech billionaire Elon Musk in an upcoming film centered on the internal drama and crisis at OpenAI. The project is being fast-tracked by an indie production company eager to dramatize the intense behind-the-scenes story of the AI company’s leadership shakeup.

From comedy to controversy

Barinholtz, known for his comedic roles in The Mindy Project and Neighbors, is stepping into new territory with this serious portrayal. The film will focus on the high-profile boardroom drama that unfolded at OpenAI in late 2023, including the firing and eventual rehiring of CEO Sam Altman, as well as Musk’s vocal critiques of the company’s direction and ethics.

A deep dive into tech turmoil

The screenplay is said to examine themes of power, control, and ethics in the development of artificial intelligence—an area Musk has frequently warned could pose an existential risk to humanity. While Musk was not directly involved in the leadership battle, his past as a co-founder and ongoing criticisms of OpenAI make him a key figure in the narrative.

Creative team behind the lens

The film is being directed by acclaimed filmmaker Adam McKay, known for turning real-life events into darkly comic dramas like The Big Short and Vice. The rest of the cast has yet to be announced, but the project has already generated buzz for its provocative subject matter and unexpected casting.