Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Launch Production Firm That Puts Creatives First

A-listers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are joining forces to launch a new production company that will give creators a bigger slice of the pie on commercially viable projects. 

The Artists Equity studio has taken on its first project, a feature film about the Air Jordan brand directed by Affleck and starring Damon. The movie is scheduled to be released next year. 

According to CBS News, the firm hopes to launch at least five projects each year. The news outlet cites that the company will focus on optimizing production “with shared participation in the commercial success of projects.” 

The New York Times reports that the new venture has already secured US$100 million in funding from investment firm RedBird Capital Partners, with the two actors at the helm committing an undisclosed sum of capital as well. 

Speaking to the publication, the duo says they plan to “recapture” the value of back-end roles in a more equitable manner, not just for writers or  directors but also cinematographers, editors, designers, and other artists who “are very underpaid.” 

From now on, Affleck will work exclusively for Artists Equity, while Damon has agreed to star in a set number of films (though the exact number is unclear), and will be producing exclusively for the studio. 

[via CBS News and New York Times, cover image via Starstock | Dreamstime.com]