Netflix Enters Its Dan Lin Era

Dan Lin, 50, starts his tenure as Netflix’s new film head this week. He had spent the last two decades building Rideback Productions, which was behind the recent live-action remake of “Avatar: The Last Airbender, streamed on Netflix. He also contributed to the Oscar-nominated film “The Two Popes” for the streaming service, and has produced the “It” and “Lego” movie franchises. He’s currently working on the live-action version of “Lilo & Stitch” for Walt Disney.

Lin wasn’t looking for a new job at all. But then, Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer, called.

“While I’ve been approached many times during my past 15 years at Rideback, I could truly never imagine leaving until Bela reached out with this incredible opportunity,” remarked Mr. Lin in a statement at the end of February.

And just like that, the producer assumed control of Hollywood’s wealthiest film division, which produces far more titles than any traditional studio and boasts a budget superior to anything available in the industry. His daunting task in this role will be to execute the streamer’s much-discussed “fewer and better” filmmaking strategy.

For the last seven years, Scott Stuber was the man on that chair. During his tenure, budgets were huge and oversight was scant. He was able to attract esteemed filmmakers like Martin Scorsese, Alfonso Cuarón, and Jane Campion, resulting in multiple Oscar nominations. However, Netflix now aims to streamline its film output and prioritize quality control. The streaming giant can benefit from other studios’ recent willingness to license their films. In its most recent most-watched list, six of the 10 most popular movies on the service were from other studios.

Lin looks like the right man at the right moment. As the son of Taiwanese immigrants, he represents a new generation of producers advocating for inclusivity in Hollywood.

He is known in the industry as a strong executive with great relationships. And his ability to toggle between crowd-pleasing blockbusters like “Aladdin” to prestige pictures like “The Two Popes” positions him as a suitable overseer of Netflix’s eclectic film slate.

Amidst these changes, Netflix remains steadfast in its streaming-first approach. While the landscape may evolve under Lin’s leadership, one thing remains constant: Netflix’s unwavering commitment to delivering content directly to its subscribers, bypassing traditional theatrical releases. The era of Lin brings anticipation for Netflix’s future direction. We can leisurely settle onto our couches, remote in hand, and await for it to unfold.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter