Cowboy Bebop Cowboy Bebop

Netflix continues its run of acquisitions with a plan to buy Scanline VFX, the global effects house behind several of its shows.

Here are the details:

  • Scanline has worked on Netflix shows like Blood Red Sky, the live-action version of Cowboy Bebop, and Stranger Things 3 and the upcoming fourth season.
  • Its non-Netflix credits include Game of Thrones, Godzilla vs Kong, Eternals, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Joker, and the upcoming The Batman.
  • The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, and is expected to close in Q1 2022. Financial terms weren’t disclosed.
  • “Scanline is known for its complex, photorealistic effects and expertise in virtual production,” wrote Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s vp of studio operations, in a blog post announcing the deal.
  • Scanline is led by president Stephan Trojansky, who will remain with the company. Its proprietary fluid rendering system Flowline won a technical Academy Award in 2008. Netflix says it will invest in its pipeline, infrastructure, and workforce.
  • More than 1,000 employees work for Scanline across its Vancouver headquarters and other branches in Montreal, Los Angeles, London, Munich, Stuttgart, and Seoul.
  • Scanline will continue to operate as a standalone business and work with a range of clients. Netflix will still partner with other vfx vendors too.
  • Previously averse to splashy acquisitions, Netflix has recently gone on a shopping spree, snapping up the Roald Dahl catalogue and video game developer Night School Studio.

 

Read about the other major vfx acquisition of the month

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