Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Detail Their New Film Revenue Model at Artists Equity

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are attempting to fundamentally change how Hollywood compensates its creators. Through their content company, Artists Equity, the two childhood besties are pioneering a model that shares streaming revenue with above-the-line talent—directors, writers, actors, and producers—in addition to traditional fees.

A Museum of Hollywood Memorabilia

At the offices of Artists Equity in a sleek West Hollywood high-rise, the legacy of Affleck and Damon’s careers is displayed prominently. The two-floor office houses memorabilia from their film careers, including the Oscars they won for writing "Good Will Hunting," a miniature Trojan horse from Damon's "The Odyssey," and the Batcycle Affleck rode in "The Flash." Affleck, 54, emphasizes that the enterprise is not merely a shrine to themselves. "The danger is that it looks like building a monument to the self — it’s not," he says. He clarifies that the commemoration serves as a reminder of a model the company hopes to reshape, not just a monument to their own success.

The Streaming Revenue Model

Founded four years ago with the help of RedBird Capital's Gerry Cardinale, Artists Equity aims to give creatives greater access to profits almost in real time. The company shares all streaming revenue with screenwriters, directors, actors, and producers, alongside traditional fees. Additionally, they negotiated performance-based bonuses with Netflix that pay out the entire crew of a given film. This approach treats above-the-line talent as if they were investors in a film, rather than distant bonus pools tied to a separate arcane system.

Affleck recently disclosed these proprietary details to explain the model's appeal. He notes that the traditional studio system often treats talent as upfront costs rather than investors. "We’re trying to create a template that can be widely adopted," Affleck explains. To support this mission, they just closed a deal to start Artists Equity Independent Pictures, an indie theatrical film fund specifically for next-generation filmmakers. The company is also producing Affleck's forthcoming thriller "Animals" through a Netflix partnership, marking a first-look deal to produce and distribute films for streaming.

The Decline of Traditional Stardom

Affleck also reflects on the shifting landscape of movie stardom. He observes that theatrical attendance has declined due to uniform ticket pricing and the dominance of premium formats. Furthermore, there are fewer universally recognized stars today compared to the '80s and '90s. "There are fewer people who everyone has heard of," Affleck notes. He also points to the immense pressure young actors face to cultivate online followings, contrasting it with his own preference for maintaining privacy. In the music business, artists are expected to make money elsewhere, such as through social media followings. Affleck acknowledges this reality, noting that the value of a celebrity's digital presence is real work that must be cultivated.

What Remains Uncertain

Despite the ambitious goals, little is known about the inner workings of Artists Equity. While the company has secured partnerships with Netflix and Sony, and is producing "Animals" through a Netflix partnership, the long-term viability of the revenue-sharing model remains unproven at scale. Readers can verify the official announcement and ongoing developments through the Variety interview linked here.