Director Alex Gibney has revealed that Universal Pictures, which holds the international distribution rights to his four-hour documentary on Elon Musk, initially hesitated over releasing the film outside North America. Speaking to the New York Times as the film debuted in the United States, Gibney confirmed reports that Universal had “wavered” in its international release plans.
The documentary, distributed in the U.S. by independent company Bleecker Street, explores the life and career of Musk, the entrepreneur behind companies such as SpaceX and Tesla. Universal acquired the international rights to the film in 2023, but according to Gibney, the studio’s confidence in the release fluctuated in the face of concerns about potential legal challenges.
A subsequent report in Variety indicated that Universal’s apprehension may have stemmed from threatened legal action by Musk, though the studio reportedly maintained enthusiasm for an international rollout. When asked whether legal clearances were the main issue, Gibney suggested the situation was more complex, responding, “You can walk and chew gum at the same time.”
Despite earlier uncertainties, Gibney said discussions with Universal have resumed, with the studio now actively planning the film’s release abroad. “We just had a meeting with [Universal], and we’re talking very concretely about a release plan,” he stated.
Efforts to include Musk himself in the documentary were unsuccessful. Producer Jessie Deeter, who previously worked with Musk on two films, attempted multiple times to secure an interview, but Musk declined. Musk responded on the social media platform X by posting a disparaging comment about the director, calling Gibney a “douche.”
Following the documentary’s premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Musk publicly criticized the film, labeling it a “hit piece that misses.” He also issued threats of legal action against the filmmakers. Universal declined to offer additional comments on the matter, instead referring to a prior statement affirming its commitment to releasing the documentary as planned.