Gibney says Universal wavered on Musk release as 3-hour-45 film nears theatres
Alex Gibney says Universal Pictures wavered over the overseas release of his Elon Musk documentary, while the studio insists its plans never changed.
Gibney answered “Yes” when asked in an interview published 11 October 2026 whether Universal had hesitated on international plans for “Musk” Variety. “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,” he said. Universal responded: “We’ve always been committed to releasing this film, and our plans haven’t changed.”
The film is directed by Gibney and runs 3 hours and 45 minutes Variety. It examines Musk’s rise to global influence, and opens with the question: “How could Musk assume so much power, and why had we given it...” The New York Times. That is a long sit by documentary standards. Theatrical documentaries often run closer to 90 minutes to two hours to allow cinemas more shows per day.
Musk does not appear in person in the film. Gibney and producer Jessie Deeter contacted him to seek his perspective, and Musk replied on Twitter/X with “Gibney is a douche” Variety. He refused to be interviewed, according to earlier reporting The Atlantic. Ahead of release, Musk called the project a “hit piece”.
The release calendar is still taking shape. The New York Times reported on 17 September 2026 that “Musk” would arrive in United States theatres the next month The New York Times. Universal remained committed to releasing the film overseas at that point but had yet to set overseas dates. Sources later told Variety that Universal was moving forward as planned with the international release Variety.
The overseas deal carries real money. Universal paid millions for rights to release “Musk” outside the United States, a pact that covers international territories, meaning cinemas beyond the domestic market of the United States and Canada The Hollywood Reporter.
Gibney has spoken bluntly about the production. He said fear shadowed the making of the film and described Musk as “extremely” dangerous to democracy Reuters. In the October interview, he also discussed Musk, the 2024 presidential election and the controversies around the release The New York Times.
For viewers, this means the dispute is now part of the story around the film. A major Hollywood studio is holding a long, politically charged documentary for cinemas while its subject attacks it from the sidelines.
