A PYMNTS Company

Netflix Acquires AI Filmmaking Technology Firm InterPositive Founded by Ben Affleck

By  |  March 5, 2026
Netflix Acquires AI Filmmaking Technology Firm InterPositive Founded by Ben Affleck

Netflix said on Thursday it has acquired InterPositive, a filmmaking technology company founded by Academy Award-winning actor and director Ben Affleck that develops artificial intelligence-powered tools designed for movie production. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.

    Get the Full Story

    Complete the form to unlock this article and enjoy unlimited free access to all PYMNTS content — no additional logins required.

    Subscribe to our daily newsletter, PYMNTS Today.

    By completing this form, you agree to receive marketing communications from PYMNTS and to the sharing of your information with our sponsor, if applicable, in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.

    The acquisition signals a growing shift within the media industry toward embracing artificial intelligence as a tool for content creation and storytelling. According to Reuters, Hollywood studios and streaming companies have increasingly begun exploring AI-driven technologies after earlier concerns that such tools could threaten creative jobs and intellectual property protections.

    InterPositive, founded by Affleck in 2022, focuses on AI systems designed to support filmmakers during production. According to Reuters, the company created a model trained to understand visual logic and editorial continuity while still adhering to traditional cinematic principles. The system can help address practical challenges that often arise on set, including missing shots or lighting inconsistencies during filming.

    We’d love to be your preferred source for news.

    Please add us to your preferred sources list so our news, data and interviews show up in your feed. Thanks!

    Add as Preferred Source

    Related: Netflix Withdraws From Warner Bros Bid as Paramount Emerges With ‘Superior’ Offer

    Affleck, who directed and starred in the Oscar-winning film “Argo,” said the technology was built with safeguards intended to preserve artistic control. “We also built in restraints to protect creative intent, so the tools are designed for responsible exploration while keeping creative decisions in the hands of artists,” Affleck said.

    Netflix Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria emphasized that the company views AI as a creative aid rather than a replacement for human talent. “We believe new tools should expand creative freedom, not constrain it or replace the work of writers, directors, actors, and crews,” Bajaria said.

    According to Reuters, the purchase marks Netflix’s first acquisition since the company withdrew from a high-profile competition to acquire Warner Bros Discovery’s studio and streaming assets. That race ultimately ended after a rival offer from Paramount Skydance was considered stronger.

    The broader entertainment sector has begun experimenting more openly with AI technology in recent months. According to Reuters, Disney announced late last year that it would allow OpenAI to use characters from its Star Wars, Pixar, and Marvel franchises in the startup’s Sora AI video generator.

    As part of the deal, Affleck will join Netflix as a senior advisor, where he is expected to help guide the company’s efforts in integrating artificial intelligence tools into filmmaking workflows, according to Reuters.

    Source: Reuters