Universal Pictures is reportedly reconsidering whether it will release Alex Gibney’s Musk, a four-hour documentary examining Elon Musk’s career, political influence and business empire. The film received a strong response at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month, where audiences reportedly gave the documentary and its director a lengthy standing ovation. Despite that reception, Universal has yet to announce a release date for the movie outside North America.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, two people familiar with the situation said Universal may ultimately decide against releasing the documentary internationally, although no final decision has been made. The studio acquired worldwide rights outside North America in 2023, when Musk’s relationship with Donald Trump and the political terrain surrounding the tech billionaire looked considerably different.
Universal declined to comment when asked about the documentary’s release plans. If the studio abandons the release, the filmmakers could potentially regain the rights and seek new international distributors.
Universal’s Release Plans Remain Unclear
The uncertainty comes despite Musk generating considerable attention at major film festivals. Following its Venice premiere, the documentary is scheduled to appear at the London Film Festival, while Bleecker Street is handling its U.S. theatrical release.
Universal’s lack of international plans is notable because studios commonly use festival appearances in major markets to build momentum around upcoming theatrical releases. In this case, however, the company has not announced corresponding plans for the United Kingdom or other European territories.
A person familiar with the deal told The Hollywood Reporter that Universal could be required to pay the filmmakers a kill fee if it chooses not to release the movie. The filmmakers would then be able to offer the international rights to other distributors.
That possibility would not necessarily prevent the documentary from reaching international audiences. Musk has already attracted significant attention from potential distributors, meaning a rights reset could give other companies an opportunity to acquire the film.
Why the Elon Musk Documentary Is Politically Sensitive
Gibney’s documentary reportedly makes several controversial claims about Musk’s political influence and his involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. One particularly significant section features AI pioneer and Nobel Prize winner Geoffrey Hinton discussing how information collected during Musk’s time with DOGE could potentially be used to influence future U.S. elections.
Hinton argues in the documentary that the information collected could theoretically provide the foundation for an AI-driven effort to influence elections. The film therefore places Musk at the center of a wider examination of technology, politics and government power.
Musk himself has strongly criticized Gibney’s project, reportedly describing it as a “hit piece” and calling it “boring.” His attorney Alex Spiro has also sent a legal letter to Gibney’s production company, putting the filmmakers on notice.
The political environment surrounding the documentary has also changed substantially since Universal acquired its international rights. Musk eventually became closely aligned with Trump, while FCC Chair Brendan Carr has maintained a relationship with the billionaire. At the same time, Comcast, Universal’s parent company, faces regulatory scrutiny from the FCC on other matters.
HBO Still Holds North American Rights
Universal’s uncertainty over the international release does not currently mean Musk has disappeared. HBO holds the North American television and streaming rights and previously provided additional financing as Gibney continued filming after Musk entered the Trump administration.
The documentary also has a four-month pay-TV video-on-demand window, meaning HBO’s earliest potential streaming or television debut would reportedly come in February. That timeline could become particularly significant because David Ellison’s proposed Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition could potentially be completed by then.
For now, Universal has not confirmed whether it will release Musk internationally. If the studio ultimately walks away, the documentary could instead return to the filmmakers and enter a new round of international distribution negotiations.
