Mar 5, 2024

"Lego" animation film producer Dan Lin becomes Netflix movie boss

Dan Lin, producer of the Lego animated film franchise and producer of Netflix's recent live・action film Avatar: The Last Airbender, has been named the Streamer's new film director. Lynn will report to Bella Bajaria, Netflix's chief Content officer, on behalf of his successor boss, Scott Starber, on 4/1.

Lin was a candidate who could soon be vacant, given his successful track record at streamers. His studio, Rideback, produced the aforementioned avatar series - which debuted in the first place globally on the platform two weeks ago - and features two Popes nominated three times. The other rumored candidates were Disney's live・action boss Sean Bailey and Twilight Producer Wick Godfrey, who will leave the company after a 15・year term.

2 years ago, Hayashi was named Warner Bros.He was a finalist to take over DC Studios at Discovery and served as Senior vp of production from 1999 to 2007. In the end, he decided not to leave Rideback, which he co-founded in 2008, and JAMES Gunn and Peter Safran became co-heads of DC Studios.

This time things were obviously different and Lin agreed to leave Rideback as part of the Netflix deal. He will take on studio co-founder Jonathan Eirich and COO Michael LoFaso as the label's new co-Ceo.

In a statement following the news of his appointment, Lynn said:

I've been approached many times during my past 15 years at Rideback, but I couldn't really imagine leaving until Bella [Bajaria] reached out to this incredible opportunity. Bella's vision for Netflix's film division immediately interested me because it was so strongly aligned with my own personal and professional values and what we've been building on Rideback. While Netflix's film division already has a strong foundation established, we look forward to taking it to the next level as we continue to grow this creative community to make Netflix the number one home for filmmakers.

While most of Lin's credits come from live-action production, his animation credentials include Lego franchise movies, including Lego movies and their sequels, Lego Batman movies, and the Unicitty animated series for the Cartoon Network. Lin has also produced several live-action adaptations of animated properties including Death Note and Avatar: Last 2009 for Netflix and Disney's Aladdin, he was tapped to produce a live-action/cg hybrid of Tom and Jerry, but that project didn't make it out of development. I had no idea what was going on.

Netflix's Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said of Lynn's appointment:

Dan's experience as both executive and producer is characterized by a consistent ability to draw in outstanding filmmakers. But what really caught my attention was his creation of Rideback, a dynamic community for filmmakers, which fostered a collaborative and creative environment, and his visionary approach led to the establishment of incubators and residencies, driving a career of extraordinary talent and creating a stable sudan of blockbuster films. He can't wait to inject his innovation and talent into Netflix.