Netflix Could Pay Up to $600M for Ben Affleck’s AI Film Start-Up

Popular streaming company Netflix could pay as much as $600 million to acquire InterPositive, an artificial-intelligence filmmaking start-up founded by Hollywood actor and director Ben Affleck.

According to a Bloomberg report, Affleck and other investors could earn up to that amount if the company meets certain performance targets tied to the deal. The upfront payment Netflix made is believed to be lower.

The streaming giant confirmed on March 5 that it had reached an agreement to buy InterPositive, though financial details were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, the start-up’s 16-member team of engineers, researchers and creatives will join Netflix. Affleck will also take on a senior adviser role, guiding on how the technology will be used across the platform’s productions.

Founded quietly by Affleck in 2022, the Los Angeles-based company has operated largely below the radar. Its technology allows filmmakers to create AI models from production dailies and apply them in post-production to perform tasks such as relighting scenes, colour grading and adding visual effects.

Netflix says it plans to make the technology available to its creative partners but has no plans to sell it commercially.

Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said the technology would give creators “more choices, more control and more protection for their vision.”

Affleck welcomed the partnership, saying he looks forward to continuing the work with Netflix and expanding access to the technology for the wider filmmaking community.