Alex Gibney Says Universal ‘Shook’ Over Release of Elon Musk Documentary

This revelation came after the first four-hour screening of the film at Venice drew a series of criticisms and insults from SpaceXAI founder Alex Gibney, director of the new four-hour documentary about Elon Musk. He said Universal, holder of international distribution rights, ‘wavered’ over releasing the film outside North America. Gibney spoke to the New York Times as the film opened in the United States (where ...

The revelation came after the film's four-hour premiere in Venice was met with a barrage of criticism and insults from the founder of SpaceXAI.

Monday 12 October 2026 16.38 CEST Last change on Monday 12 October 2026 16.40 CEST

Alex Gibney, the director of a new four-hour documentary about Elon Musk, said Universal, who own the film's international distribution rights, were "hesitant" about releasing the film outside of North America.

Gibney was speaking to The New York Times about the film in the U.S. (where it is being released by independent distributor Bleecker Street) and seemed to confirm a story in The Hollywood Reporter that Universal, which had acquired international rights to the film in 2023, had gotten cold feet. In response to the New York Times question, "Did Universal Pictures falter in adjusting its international release plans?" Gibney replied: Yes.

A subsequent story in Variety revealed that Universal had been concerned about "legal threats from Musk" but that the studio had "always been eager to release the film internationally." “So it wasn't about legal permits?” Gibney was asked. The filmmaker replied: You can walk and chew gum at the same time.

However, plans seem to be back on track, as Gibney added, "We just had a meeting with [Universal] and we're talking about the release schedule in detail."

Gibney also said that his producer, Jesse Dieter, had known Musk for two years before the films, and had tried several times to get Musk to interview for the film. Musk's response was to post "Gibney is a douche" on X, the social media platform owned by Musk's company SpaceXAI.

Following the film's premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Musk released a series of criticisms and insults against Gibney, including calling the film a "hit piece" and threatening legal action.

Universal declined to comment further, referring to an earlier statement: "We have always been committed to releasing this film and our plans have not changed."