Alex Gibney revealed in March 2023 that he had started work on the documentary and was "many months" into the production. Joining Gibney in producing the documentary are Jessie Deeter for Jigsaw Productions, Dana O'Keefe for Double Agent, Joey Marra andZhang Xin forCloser Media, withAnonymous Content's Nick Shumaker and Jessica Grimshaw.[5][6]Elon Musk responded to the report of the documentary in production by using hisTwitter account to express that it would probably be "a hit-piece".[7] Gibney responded by asking "how would you know?" via his Twitter account.[8]
In May 2023,HBO Documentary Films acquired North American television and streaming rights to the film, withBlack Bear International, whose joint venture withNew Regency called Double Agent co-produced the film, acquiring international sales rights, planning to sell the documentary at theMarché du Film.[9] In October 2023,Universal Pictures Content Group acquired international distribution rights from Black Bear.[10] In August 2025,Bleecker Street acquired U.S. distribution rights to the documentary; the deal excludes television and streaming rights, which were pre-bought by HBO.[11]