Director of 'Musk' Reveals Universal's Hesitation on Global Release

WHO:

Variety - Alex Gibney is the director of the documentary "Musk."

Variety - Elon Musk is the tech billionaire featured in the documentary.

WHAT:

Variety - The documentary "Musk" has a runtime of 3 hours and 45 minutes.

Variety - Gibney attempted to interview Musk for the film.

Variety - Musk's response to Gibney's request was to write, “Gibney Is a Douche.”

Reddit Movies - Universal Pictures hesitated in planning an international release for the documentary.

WHY:

Variety - Gibney believes Universal Pictures' hesitation regarding the international release was influenced by various factors, although specific reasons were not detailed.

HOW:

Variety - Gibney discussed the challenges he faced in trying to secure an interview with Musk during an interview with The New York Times.

(UPDATED October 11, 2026 19:57 UTC)

Alex Gibney is the director of the documentary "Musk," which features tech billionaire Elon Musk and has a runtime of three hours and forty-five minutes. Gibney attempted to interview Musk for the film, but Musk's response was simply, “Gibney Is a Douche.” Gibney has expressed that Universal Pictures' hesitation in planning an international release for the documentary was influenced by various factors, although he did not specify what those reasons were.