Elon Musk’s Controversial Documentary Just Hit a Major Roadblock
The studio may return rights or pay a kill fee as festival buzz grows and political concerns reshape plans for the four-hour film.
- Universal Pictures is reconsidering the release of a documentary about Elon Musk acquired three years ago, as the studio has not dated the film and appears to be rethinking the project due to its current political sensitivity.
- The documentary is considered politically sensitive for parts of the Trump administration, with Musk now a central figure in government—a sharp shift from when the studio purchased the film three years ago.
- Last week, Musk attorney Alex Spiro sent Jigsaw Productions a letter placing the team on formal legal notice regarding allegations the film investigates whether Musk could use data gathered during his DOGE period against Democrats.
- Two sources familiar with the situation believe Universal will ultimately decide against releasing the film, potentially paying a kill fee to return the rights and allowing filmmakers to sell the project elsewhere.
- HBO, which holds North American streaming rights, could air the film by February pending a four-month pay VOD window, following significant buzz from festival premieres in Venice and Toronto.
20 Articles
20 Articles
"Musk" Documentary Set for October 9th Release in US, Says Filmmaker, After Report that Universal May Back Out of Worldwide Distribution
“Musk” filmmaker Alex Gibney is definite. He says right now on Twitter that ” the film will be released in theaters in the US, starting on October 9. Bleecker Street is the theatrical distributor. Following theatrical and pay-per-view, HBO will stream the film in the US. It will also be released in Canada by Elevation.” […]
Universal May Back Out On Releasing Elon Musk Film
The Hollywood Reporter reports: When it screened at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, Musk got the kind of reception every international distributor dreams about. Attendees applauded enthusiastically for five minutes and saluted director Alex Gibney, even shouting “thank you” inside the festival’s Sala Grande for his hard-hitting investigation into the world’s richest man. … The post Universal May Back Out On Releasing Elon Musk Film …
Elon Musk Movie Gets Upsetting Release Date Update as Universal Considers Backing Out
Universal Pictures is reportedly reconsidering its plans to distribute Musk. The post Elon Musk Movie Gets Upsetting Release Date Update as Universal Considers Backing Out appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Universal Reportedly Getting Cold Feet About Releasing Alex Gibney’s ‘Musk’ Documentary
Universal Pictures is reportedly getting cold feet over the international release of Academy Award-winner Alex Gibney’s (“Going Clear,” “Taxi to the Dark Side”) nearly four-hour “Musk” documentary, potentially walking away from a film it acquired three years ago just as its billionaire subject has started publicly attacking it and threatening litigation. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Universal has yet to set an international release for “…
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