Elon Musk Movie Gets Upsetting Release Date Update as Universal Considers Backing Out

Universal Pictures is reportedly reconsidering its plans to distribute Alex Gibney’s Elon Musk movie, Musk, internationally. It puts the film’s overseas theatrical release in doubt, as The Hollywood Reporter revealed. The nearly four-hour documentary recently premiered at the Venice Film Festival, where it also received a four-minute standing ovation and strong early reviews.  

Bleecker Street remains set to release Musk in U.S. theaters on October 16, with an HBO Max release to follow. Variety reports that the film is expected to explore Musk’s business empire, political activities, relationships, and growing influence. 

Gibney began developing the documentary in 2023, while Musk has publicly dismissed it as a “hit piece” and has criticized Gibney on X.  

The documentary features interviews with several people from Musk’s personal and professional circles. The list includes his father, Errol Musk, first wife Justine Musk, Tesla co-founder Martin Eberhard, LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman, AI researcher Geoffrey Hinton, and Ashley St. Clair. 

Musk himself did not participate after declining Gibney’s request for an interview.  

The political pressures surrounding Universal’s Elon Musk movie

Gibney has described the production as an examination of Musk’s rise and the expanding influence that followed. The film also addresses Musk’s relationship with Donald Trump, his political shift, his ownership of X, and his time leading the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE.

In Venice, Gibney said there was a noticeable “sense of fear” among people he approached for interviews, with some potential sources choosing not to participate.  

Musk has responded aggressively to the project. After its Venice premiere, he also described Gibney as having “ZERO integrity.” It remains unclear whether Musk has actually watched the finished film.  

The controversy has helped keep Musk in the spotlight ahead of its U.S. release. David Byrne has also contributed an original song to the documentary, which will be eligible for the 2027 Academy Awards.

Source: Comingsoon.net