According to sources familiar with the matter, streaming giant Netflix (NFLX) is planning to acquire InterPositive, an AI film production company founded by Hollywood actor Ben Affleck, for up to $600 million. If the deal is finalized, it would become one of the largest acquisitions in Netflix’s history.
Sources who requested anonymity as the deal terms are not yet public, stated that the actual cash amount of the transaction is lower than this figure. Under the agreement, the owners of InterPositive would also receive additional payouts if the company meets specific performance targets. Netflix recently made an unsuccessful bid for Warner Bros. Discovery and has not disclosed the specific terms of this transaction.
Netflix’s primary goal in acquiring InterPositive is to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence in its film production operations. The startup has developed a set of tools that allow filmmakers to modify existing footage. It is reported that renowned director David Fincher has already used related technology in a film starring Brad Pitt.
This acquisition represents one of the largest AI-related deals struck by a major Hollywood studio. Companies like Netflix and Amazon are increasingly attempting to leverage AI technology to reduce production costs and enhance content quality. Amazon has formed an internal team aimed at deploying AI across its film and television operations, while The Walt Disney Company has established a commercial partnership with OpenAI.
However, Hollywood professionals have expressed concerns that studios might use AI to cut jobs and reduce labor costs. They also worry that tech companies might exploit their work to train AI models without proper compensation.
Affleck positions InterPositive as a tool to assist filmmakers: directors must first shoot a film, and then the software uses that footage for training, after which it can help remove unwanted objects from scenes or adjust backgrounds. The technology will not use films for training without permission and cannot generate new content without existing source material.
Despite economic fluctuations, Netflix’s stock price has shown considerable resilience. This is partly attributed to its continuous innovation in developing new revenue streams and expanding its user base. Advertising revenue has now become a significant component of its business model alongside paid subscriptions.
Looking ahead to 2026, Wall Street generally holds an optimistic view of Netflix. The average analyst price target is approximately $112.77, compared to Netflix’s closing price of around $86 at the time. The forecast from technical analysis website CoinCodex is slightly more pessimistic, projecting an average annual price of $78.07 for Netflix in 2026.
Netflix’s valuation has long been based more on its attributes as a technology company, which has led to greater volatility in its stock price. However, with increasing competition in the streaming sector, its valuation is expected to move closer to peer levels. Future stock price drivers are expected to include advertising revenue growth and industry consolidation trends. As the company matures, its advertising revenue is steadily growing, and its massive user base makes the Netflix platform highly attractive to advertisers.
