The dramatic power struggle at OpenAI that captivated the tech world last year is getting the Hollywood treatment. Amazon MGM Studios has begun development on a film chronicling the five-day saga that saw CEO Sam Altman fired and then reinstated amid boardroom turmoil.

Tentatively titled Artificial Intelligence, the project has already sparked industry buzz with its potential creative team. Acclaimed director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name, Challengers) is reportedly in negotiations to helm the production. Sources indicate casting discussions are underway for several key roles:

• Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, the charismatic CEO whose sudden dismissal triggered employee revolts
• Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati, OpenAI's former CTO who briefly served as interim CEO
• Yura Borisov as Ilya Sutskever, the co-founder who initially supported Altman's removal

The film's screenplay comes with an unexpected twist - Saturday Night Live writer Simon Rich is contributing to the script, suggesting comedic elements will highlight the absurdity of Silicon Valley power struggles. Given how quickly Altman went from ousted executive to triumphant return (complete with Microsoft job offer and subsequent U-turn), reality itself provided plenty of material ripe for satire.

The November 2023 OpenAI crisis began when Altman was abruptly fired by the board, who cited a "lack of consistent candor" in their communications. What followed played out like corporate theater - nearly all employees threatened to quit unless Altman returned, Microsoft swooped in with a job offer, and within days Altman was back at OpenAI with a reconstituted board.

This rapid-fire sequence of events offers filmmakers a rare combination of high-stakes drama and inherent humor. How often does a CEO get fired on Friday only to have his staff revolt over the weekend and return him to power by Tuesday? The production faces intriguing creative choices about tone - whether to play it straight as a corporate thriller or lean into the inherent absurdity with dark comedy.

With AI dominating public discourse thanks to ChatGPT's explosive popularity, timing couldn't be better for this project. The film promises to pull back the curtain on one of tech's most secretive companies during its most vulnerable moment. Will it portray Altman as visionary leader or flawed executive? How will it depict the board's controversial decisions?

Industry watchers will be tracking casting announcements closely in coming months. More importantly, can a Hollywood treatment capture what this episode revealed about power dynamics in Silicon Valley's most influential companies?

Key Points

1. Amazon MGM Studios developing film about OpenAI leadership crisis titled Artificial Intelligence
2. Director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me by Your Name) in talks to helm project
3. Potential cast includes Andrew Garfield as Sam Altman, Monica Barbaro as Mira Murati
4. SNL writer Simon Rich contributing script with comedic elements
5. Story centers on Altman's November 2023 firing and reinstatement within five days