Netflix Buys Ben Affleck’s AI Firm InterPositive After Warner Bros. Exit

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Netflix revealed on Thursday that it has acquired InterPositive, an artificial intelligence company founded by actor Ben Affleck. This announcement followed closely after Netflix withdrew from the competition to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Sources at Deadline report that Netflix leaders and Affleck had been talking about a potential partnership since last autumn.

This purchase shows Hollywood increasingly using AI in filmmaking. While many AI companies create videos from text descriptions, InterPositive builds tools to help with standard film production processes.

Affleck and AI at Netflix

Netflix hasn’t publicly discussed how much the deal is worth. But experts say companies specializing in AI for video creation can be valued in the billions. With this agreement, all 16 InterPositive employees will now work at Netflix, and Affleck will serve as a senior advisor.

Netflix announced that InterPositive will be joining their team, with Chief Product and Technology Officer Elizabeth Stone explaining that both companies believe technology should help creators, not take their place. This acquisition is expected to face some review, given that last year’s Hollywood strikes were fueled by concerns about artificial intelligence. Negotiations between unions representing actors and writers, studios, and streaming services are scheduled to restart soon.

Affleck explained that filmmaking has always changed with new technology, from the earliest movies to digital production and virtual sets. He sees AI as the latest development in this ongoing evolution. He also expressed his strong belief in Netflix, adding that their long history of using and growing technology carefully makes their partnership a logical fit, and a continuation of this creative tradition.

The agreement between Netflix and Affleck stands out from typical AI and studio collaborations, indicating Netflix is approaching this new technology with a unique plan.

A Different Strategy Than Disney

In December 2025, Disney invested $1 billion in OpenAI, with the potential for further investment through additional stock options. As part of a three-year agreement, OpenAI’s Sora can create short videos featuring Disney characters based on user requests, but these videos won’t include the likenesses or voices of any actors or performers.

Netflix’s acquisition of InterPositive will give them unique access to a valuable collection of visual data. InterPositive creates this data using real actors performing on a secure set, training their own models without needing text-based instructions to generate the visuals.

Affleck shared that his goal was to create a system that accurately reflected the filmmaking process, using terms familiar to directors and cinematographers. This difference demonstrates two distinct strategies for using AI in the entertainment industry: either adopting existing technology or developing custom tools specifically for filmmaking.

The Hollywood Debate

Even as Hollywood discusses how artificial intelligence should be used in movies and TV shows, studios and streaming services are already testing the technology and figuring out how it can change the way things are made.

Netflix’s acquisition of InterPositive and Affleck reflects its belief that AI will empower filmmakers, not replace them. The project is led by an Academy Award-winning writer, director, and producer, bringing a wealth of experience and a proven track record of adapting to changes in the entertainment industry.

Whether AI tools become widely used in the industry will likely depend on successfully blending strong technical skills with genuine creative talent.

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2026-03-06 18:56