Netflix is reportedly set to acquire InterPositive, an artificial intelligence film technology company founded by Hollywood actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck, in a deal valued at up to $600 million as the streaming giant expands its investment in AI-driven filmmaking tools.
According to people familiar with the negotiations, the acquisition will be paid primarily in cash and could become one of the largest strategic purchases ever made by Netflix in the technology and entertainment space.
While the headline value of the deal is estimated at $600 million, sources say the initial payment will be lower, with the remaining value tied to performance-based milestones for the startup.
Netflix has not officially confirmed the financial details of the agreement.
The acquisition comes shortly after Netflix made an unsuccessful attempt to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery in what would have been a much larger takeover in the global entertainment industry.
Although that bid did not materialise, the move to acquire InterPositive signals the streaming company’s continued strategy of investing heavily in advanced technology to strengthen its production capabilities and maintain its competitive position in the rapidly evolving entertainment sector.
InterPositive was founded by Ben Affleck as a technology-driven platform designed to transform the film production process through artificial intelligence.
The company has developed tools that allow filmmakers to manipulate and enhance footage after it has already been filmed.
Using AI-powered software, filmmakers can remove unwanted objects from scenes, adjust lighting and backgrounds, and make visual changes during post-production without requiring expensive reshoots.
Industry analysts say such tools could significantly reduce production costs while offering directors greater creative flexibility during the editing process.
The technology has already attracted attention from prominent filmmakers.
Director David Fincher reportedly used InterPositive’s AI-assisted tools in the production of an upcoming film starring Brad Pitt, providing an early demonstration of how the platform can support high-budget Hollywood productions.
The Netflix acquisition would bring these capabilities directly into the streaming company’s production ecosystem, allowing it to integrate artificial intelligence into its growing slate of films and television series.
The move also reflects a broader shift across the entertainment industry as studios increasingly explore how artificial intelligence can streamline filmmaking and enhance creative workflows.
Major entertainment companies have begun investing heavily in AI technologies to improve efficiency, reduce production expenses and accelerate content development.
Streaming rival Amazon has already established internal teams dedicated to applying artificial intelligence across its film and television projects.
Similarly, The Walt Disney Company recently entered into a commercial partnership with OpenAI to explore the potential of AI in content creation and production processes.
The rapid adoption of AI technologies in Hollywood has sparked significant debate across the industry.
Many creative professionals, including actors, writers and production staff, have expressed concerns that artificial intelligence could eventually replace certain jobs or allow studios to train AI systems using creative work without proper compensation.
These concerns became a central issue during recent labour negotiations between Hollywood studios and industry unions.
Despite these worries, Affleck has consistently emphasised that InterPositive’s technology is intended to support filmmakers rather than replace them.
According to him, the platform was designed to complement traditional filmmaking by giving directors additional tools during the editing and post-production stages.
In a video shared by Netflix discussing the technology, Affleck explained that the system only works with footage that has already been filmed by the production team.
This means the software cannot generate entirely new projects or train on films without permission from the creators.
“It doesn’t train on films without permission or generate new projects without the base film,” Affleck said.
He added that the goal of the technology is to enhance the storytelling process while preserving the role of filmmakers and creative professionals.
“The filmmaking process really since its inception has been one long technological progression,” Affleck said.
“We’ve always been seeking to make it feel more realistic, more honest, and InterPositive I hope is another iteration or step in keeping with that long and storied history.”
Affleck developed InterPositive largely in secrecy over several years with financial backing from RedBird Capital Partners, a private investment firm known for supporting media and sports ventures.
After refining the technology and demonstrating its potential in real-world productions, the company began exploring external investment opportunities in 2025.
Affleck reportedly held discussions with venture capital firms and several major Hollywood studios as part of efforts to secure funding and expand the platform’s reach.
Those discussions eventually led Netflix to pursue the startup as part of its long-term strategy to integrate advanced production technologies into its content operations.
Historically, Netflix has preferred building new tools internally rather than acquiring external companies.
However, the decision to acquire InterPositive suggests a shift in approach as competition intensifies in the global streaming market.
With major rivals investing heavily in technology and content development, Netflix appears to be accelerating efforts to maintain its leadership position.
The company has already spent billions of dollars annually on film and television production, making efficiency improvements a major priority.
Artificial intelligence tools like those developed by InterPositive could help streamline production workflows and reduce costs associated with reshoots, set reconstruction and visual adjustments.
At the same time, the technology may open new creative possibilities for filmmakers by allowing greater flexibility during editing and post-production.
Industry observers say the acquisition reflects a broader transformation in how films and television content are produced in the digital age.
As artificial intelligence becomes more sophisticated, studios are increasingly exploring ways to incorporate it into various stages of filmmaking, from visual effects and editing to script development and audience analytics.
For Netflix, acquiring InterPositive could position the company at the forefront of this technological shift.
The deal would also deepen the relationship between Netflix and Affleck, who has previously collaborated with the streaming platform on several projects.
While the final terms of the acquisition have yet to be officially announced, the agreement could mark one of the most significant AI-focused investments in Hollywood to date.
If completed, the purchase would further highlight the growing intersection between technology and entertainment as studios seek innovative ways to create and distribute content in an increasingly competitive industry.
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