Netflix Acquires Scanline VFX Studio

Netflix is snapping up premiere visual-effects house Scanline VFX, announcing a deal to acquire the company that has provided virtual productions on Netflix originals like “Stranger Things” as well as tentpole movies for Marvel, DC and others.

Scanline was founded in 1989 and is now led by Stephan Trojansky, a VFX supervisor whose proprietary fluid rendering system Flowline won an Academy Award for Technical Achievement in 2008. Trojansky will remain with the company post-acquisition.The company has offices in Vancouver, Montreal, Los Angeles, London, Munich, Stuttgart and Seoul.

Netflix said it will operate Scanline VFX as a standalone business that will continue to work with a variety of clients. According to Amy Reinhard, Netflix’s VP of studio operations,, Netflix will invest in Scanline’s pipeline, infrastructure and workforce and continue to support the “pioneering work that Scanline’s Eyeline Studios is doing in virtual production to push the boundaries of what is visibly possible.” In addition, Netflix plans to continue to work with many other VFX studios worldwide “so we can continue to ensure that our creators have access to the world’s most innovative tech,” she added.

Along with Cowboy Bebop and Stranger Things 3, Scanline’s work is featured in upcoming titles such as Don’t Look Up, The Gray Man, Slumberland, The Adam Project and Stranger Things 4. In addition to collaborating with Netflix, Scanline has done work on everything from Game of Thrones to Godzilla vs Kong and Zack Snyder’s Justice League.

The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and is expected to close in Q1 2022.