Netflix paid about $587 million to acquire InterPositive, the artificial intelligence startup founded by actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck. The streaming giant disclosed in its latest Form 10-Q filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

The deal shows Netflix’s commitment to using AI tools that help filmmakers improve production and post-production work.

Netflix Confirms Acquisition Price

Netflix completed the acquisition in March. The company said the total purchase price was approximately $587 million.

The disclosure came months after reports suggested the deal could be worth up to $600 million for Affleck and InterPositive investors if the company meets certain performance targets.

Netflix has not publicly commented on the filing.

Why Netflix Bought InterPositive

Affleck founded InterPositive in 2022 and operated the company in stealth mode. Netflix acquired the startup to develop AI tools that keep filmmakers at the centre of the creative process.

The company’s technology allows filmmakers to build AI models using production dailies. These tools can help with sound mixing, relighting scenes, and adding visual effects.

The acquisition also brought InterPositive’s 16-person team of engineers, researchers, and creatives to Netflix. Affleck joined the streaming company as a senior adviser.

Speaking about the merger, Affleck said:

“From the invention of the moving image to the transition to digital, from motion capture to virtual production, technology has evolved alongside the artists who use it. Our shared commitment to continuing this legacy makes joining together a natural next step, in addition to Netflix’s decades of experience applying and scaling technology responsibly.”

Netflix Expands AI Use in Productions

Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos recently discussed the company’s AI efforts during its second-quarter earnings call.

He revealed that about 300 Netflix titles have used some form of generative AI this year. Sarandos also said the InterPositive acquisition remains in its early stages, but the company already sees benefits from the technology.

Despite the growing use of AI, Sarandos emphasised that Netflix does not plan to replace human creativity.

“We believe it takes great artists to make something great, and AI is not changing that,” Sarandos said. “Movies are being made by people who make movies. AI provides them with better tools to make them even better.”

The acquisition highlights Netflix’s strategy of investing in AI technology that supports filmmakers while improving production efficiency.