Netflix AI filmmaking push grows with InterPositive acquisition

A deal valued at up to $600 million will see Netflix acquire InterPositive, the AI filmmaking company founded by actor and director Ben Affleck, according to people familiar with the matter.

The transaction, paid in cash, is expected to become one of the largest acquisitions made by the streaming company. The final upfront amount is reportedly lower, with additional payments tied to performance targets. Netflix has not publicly disclosed the financial terms of the deal.

The acquisition is intended to accelerate the use of AI in film production. InterPositive has developed software tools that enable filmmakers to modify existing footage, including removing unwanted elements or adjusting scene backgrounds. Director David Fincher has already used the technology in work on an upcoming film starring Brad Pitt.

The deal reflects a broader trend among entertainment companies exploring AI technologies to streamline production and improve efficiency. Companies including Netflix and Amazon are experimenting with AI tools in film and television production, while Disney has established a partnership with OpenAI.

The growing use of AI in Hollywood has raised concerns among industry workers. Some fear the technology could reduce jobs or allow studios to use creative work to train AI systems without compensation.

Affleck has said the InterPositive technology is designed to support filmmakers rather than replace them. The system requires directors first to shoot original footage before the software can train on the material. The tools can then assist with editing tasks, but do not generate films independently.

Netflix has traditionally avoided large-scale acquisitions, focusing instead on developing its technology internally. Even so, the purchase of InterPositive signals a step toward strengthening the company’s AI capabilities in film production.

‘The filmmaking process, really, since its inception, has been one long technological progression,’ Affleck said in a video released by Netflix. ‘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 founded InterPositive with backing from investment firm RedBird Capital Partners and began seeking investment in 2025 before the company attracted interest from Netflix.

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