That Musk documentary might be at risk

Universal Pictures may reconsider its distribution strategy for Alex Gibney's upcoming documentary about Elon Musk, titled Musk. The film, which has already been set for an October 9 release in select cities like New York and Los Angeles, now faces the possibility of being returned to the filmmakers and needing a new distributor.

This development, according to two unnamed sources cited by The Hollywood Reporter, stems from concerns over possible criticism of the billionaire tech mogul within the documentary's narrative. Although the film is set to premiere in the United States, the possibility of rights reverting to the filmmakers introduces uncertainty about the film's eventual distribution.

HBO, which acquired the North American streaming and television rights in 2023, may face ownership shifts by February 2025, given the potential merger between HBO and Paramount. This shift could also impact the documentary's future, as Larry Ellison, a major shareholder in both Universal and Paramount, is mentioned negatively in the film.

Musk's legal team is reportedly prepared to challenge the documentary's release, potentially driving further interest in its viewing. Despite these hurdles, the film is expected to make its way into theaters and streaming platforms, albeit with some uncertainty about the exact timeline and distribution channels.