On January 15, 2026, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon finalized an unprecedented agreement with Netflix to increase compensation for all crew members working on their latest film, The Rip. The deal guarantees bonuses for the entire production team if the movie achieves strong performance on the streaming platform, highlighting the actors’ commitment to fair pay behind the scenes.
Collaborative Effort Recognized by Filmmakers
Affleck and Damon, who co-own the production company Artists Equity, also star in and produce The Rip. Ben Affleck emphasized the collaborative nature of filmmaking, stating,
“In our experience, every single person that works on this movie — it’s the most collaborative of all art forms. Everybody is vital to it.”
This approach underpins their decision to link bonuses to the film’s success, ensuring the 1,200 crew members involved share in any financial gains.
Commitment to Fair Wages Through Artists Equity
Producing through Artists Equity, the duo expressed a broader ambition to restore reliable middle-class wages in the film industry. Affleck explained,
“There’s no guarantee that you’re going to get rich and successful. But if you work on a project and you are successful, you ought to benefit.”
This move reflects an effort to change longstanding industry practices by prioritizing equitable compensation for all contributors.
Damon Highlights Audience Power in Supporting Films
Matt Damon has also spoken about the influence cinemagoers have over movie production trends. He pointed out,
“Every single person who worked on it should benefit from it.”
In 2024, Damon commented on the shrinking number of films like theirs, urging audiences to support such projects.
“The only way to remedy that is to make these films and to put them in theatres and for moviegoers to go support them. I think people might not be aware of how much power they have as moviegoers. If people go and see it, we can make more of them,”
he said.
Significance and Future Impact on Film Industry Practices
This deal between Affleck, Damon, and Netflix marks a significant shift in how compensation is approached in Hollywood productions, especially for behind-the-scenes workers. By tying bonuses to the success of a film on a major streaming platform, it challenges the traditional model where only top talent and executives reap most financial rewards. If this initiative proves successful, it may encourage other production companies to adopt similar policies, potentially reshaping industry standards to better support crew members across the board.
