Actor Ben Affleck had some criticism for Netflix’s approach to filmmaking.
The “Argo” star made the remarks at The New York Times’ Dealbook Summit this week while promoting his new company with longtime collaborator Matt Damon.
“I’m sure there’s wisdom in that and I’m sure they had a great strategy, but I would have said, ‘How are we going to make 50 great movies? How is that possible?’ There’s no committee big enough. There aren’t enough — you just can’t do it,” Affleck said, per the Daily Mail.
“It’s a thing that requires attention and dedication and work and resists the assembly line process,” he continued. “[Netflix’s head of original films] Scott Stuber is a really talented, smart guy who I really like … but it’s an impossible job.”
The Oscar winner admitted that he understood the tactic to some extent, but still preferred to focus on artistic integrity for any projects he’s part of.
“There’s bigger audience for action movies than there is for small dramas. I get that. Certain genres play more broadly and you can’t not be mindful of that. But let’s do a good one, let’s surprise the audience, let’s make them care about it,” he said.
Affleck and Damon announced their new endeavor, Artists Equity, earlier this year. It was described as an “artist-led studio that partners with filmmakers to empower creative vision and broaden access to profit participation.”
Affleck and Damon got their big break after co-writing the 1997 drama “Good Will Hunting” and have remained friends and associates ever since. Affleck said in a statement to Deadline that their new company will focus on quality and creativity.
It will also be “providing fair and equitable compensation to everyone involved while also making movies that are of high quality and have commercial appeal,” per Axios.
“Artists Equity was conceived from Matt’s and my longtime passion for the art of storytelling and our shared desire to help creators deliver on their vision, as we have been fortunate to do throughout our careers,” the statement said in part.
RedBird Capital is reportedly making “a significant financial commitment” to the new company’s launch, the publication noted.