Gibney: Universal Wavered on Musk Doc Release — SkimNews
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- Alex Gibney confirmed Universal "wavered" on the international release of his four-hour Elon Musk documentary, answering "Yes" when the New York Times asked directly whether Universal had hesitated on its plans
- Universal acquired the film's international distribution rights in 2023; Variety reported the studio was concerned about "legal threats from Musk," and Gibney responded to the legal-clearances question with: "You can walk and chew gum at the same time"
- Plans now appear back on track, as Gibney said: "We just had a meeting with [Universal], and we're talking very concretely about a release plan"
- The film is being released in the US by independent distributor Bleecker Street, following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival
- Elon Musk posted "Gibney is a douche" on X after producer Jessie Deeter made multiple attempts to secure his interview, and later called the film a "hit piece that misses" and threatened legal action following the Venice premiere
- Universal's official statement held firm: "We've always been committed to releasing this film, and our plans haven't changed"
Why it matters: The standoff reveals how a powerful documentary subject can chill a major studio's distribution plans simply by threatening litigation — Gibney's "walk and chew gum" remark implies Universal's international hesitation and Musk's legal threats are intertwined, even as the studio publicly denies any shift. For the documentary's global audience, the release is now contingent on Universal's appetite for absorbing that legal risk.
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