Artists Equity, in partnership with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, and Gerry Cardinale, has signed a multi-year first-look streaming deal with Netflix.
Under the agreement, Artists Equity will serve as the lead studio on the films it produces for Netflix, taking an active role in development, production, and distribution.
The partnership follows the success of The Rip, which premiered on Netflix on January 16 and reached 112.3 million views over six weeks, spending three weeks at No. 1 on the Global Top 10 chart.
The company already has an existing theatrical deal with Sony Pictures. Films distributed by Sony will come to Netflix through the platform’s Pay-1 agreement with Sony.
Netflix emphasizes that it aims for a long-term collaboration with Artists Equity, given the studio’s “artist-first” approach and its involvement across the entire creative process.
Netflix Chairman of Film Dan Lin said: “We’re expanding our partnership with Artists Equity because they share our mission – to make bold, original films. Ben and Matt don’t wait for opportunities, they create them: from making and starring in ambitious, original films, to building an innovative studio model. Audiences worldwide are loving The Rip, and we can’t wait to share the thriller Animals later this year. Formalizing this relationship means we will be making even more memorable movies together.”
Later this year, Affleck’s directorial film Animals will also be released on Netflix.
