Alex Gibney Says Universal Wavered on 'Musk' Overseas Release

Alex Gibney confirmed that Universal Pictures wavered on plans to release his 3-hour-and-45-minute Elon Musk documentary "Musk" overseas, despite the studio's public insistence that its plans never changed.

Speaking to The New York Times, Gibney answered "Yes" when asked whether the studio had hesitated on the international release. Pressed on what happened, he said: "Were they concerned that in this political environment, a film about the world's richest man was problematic? Maybe, but you have to ask them."

Universal declined to comment beyond a previous statement: "We've always been committed to releasing this film, and our plans haven't changed."

Last month, it was reported that "Musk" would receive an international release despite legal threats from the SpaceX founder.

How did Gibney try to land an interview with Musk?

Musk does not appear in the film, though Gibney created an avatar of him to simulate interviews in the documentary. The director said the absence was not for lack of trying. He and producer Jessie Deeter "reached out."

"Deeter knew him from two previous films. She had his cellphone number. She had an email address," Gibney said. "She wrote sometimes folksy, sometimes detailed notes about how much we wanted his perspective. His response was writing 'Gibney is a douche' on Twitter."

Gibney said he also "approached a lot of friends of his and business colleagues, and a lot of them said, 'I can't talk to you because Elon won't give you permission.'"

He did secure two significant interviews: Ashley St. Clair, Musk's former girlfriend and the mother of his 14th child, and Justine Musk, his first wife.

What has Musk said about the film?

Ahead of the film's release, Musk called it a "hit piece" and said "dogshit is worth more respect." He added that Gibney "has ZERO integrity" and is a "horrible human."

What does the documentary cover?

"Musk" examines the world's richest man and his outsized influence, including:

• His shift to becoming a MAGA supporter
• Controversies surrounding his Occupy Mars mission
• Tesla's self-driving cars
• His contentious relationships with several of the mothers of his 14 children

The documentary opened in theaters on Friday, distributed by Bleecker Street, and grossed $68,900 from four locations — an average of $17,225 per screen.

With the international release now reportedly proceeding despite Musk's legal threats, the film's performance abroad will test whether a critical portrait of the world's richest man can reach audiences beyond the U.S.