Netflix has appointed Dan Lin as its new head of film, succeeding Scott Stuber, who announced his departure from the streaming giant in March. Lin is a well-known figure in the film industry for producing hit movies such as the Lego franchise, It, and Disney’s Aladdin remake through his production company, Rideback. He will assume his new role on April 1. Lin’s appointment follows rumours, including former Disney executive Sean Bailey and former Universal chief Stacey Snider.
Lin has previously collaborated with Netflix on projects such as The Two Popes and the live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender series. With his extensive experience, he will report directly to Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer.
Before founding Rideback, Lin served as senior VP of production at Warner Bros., overseeing the development and production of major films such as Martin Scorsese’s The Departed. Despite his previous interest in overseeing DC Studios for Warner Bros., he remained committed to Rideback. However, the opportunity at Netflix proved too compelling to pass up.
Lin’s departure from Rideback will see Jonathan Eirich and Michael LoFaso stepping in as the new co-CEOs.
In a statement, Lin expressed his excitement about the new role, saying, “It’s always been my aspiration at Rideback to make movies with worldwide appeal and universal themes, and there is no better place to do that than at a company with the widest global audience. It’s an incredible opportunity that I couldn’t say no to.”
Bajaria also praised Lin’s visionary approach and his ability to draw in exceptional filmmakers. “His creation of Rideback, a dynamic community for filmmakers, fostering collaborative and creative environments, has led to the establishment of incubators and residencies, propelling the careers of extraordinary talent and a steady slate of blockbuster films,” she said.
