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Welcome to Created, the newsletter that’s more happening than Austin during SXSW. Here's what we got today:
- Top Hollywood VFX Studio acquires TikToker's Deepfake Company
- Why More Creators Are Raising Millions
- Best Thumbnails on YouTube
PS I'll be speaking at SXSW on March 11, would love to see you there!
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$1.4 Billion Merger: Hollywood Studio Acquires TikToker's Deepfake Company
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Miles Fisher, the "Tom Cruise deepfake guy," just did the impossible.
His deepfake tech company, Metaphysic, got acquired by DNEG, the Hollywood VFX studio behind blockbusters like Dune, Inception, and more.
The merger puts their combined valuation at $1.43 billion.
But what does this mean for creators? And how will this impact the deepfakes we see on social?
Backstory
- 2021: Fisher and VFX artist Chris Ume go viral for hyper-real deepfake videos of Tom Cruise.
- 2023: They co-found Metaphysic, bringing deepfake tech to Hollywood, including de-aging Tom Hanks and Robin Wright for the film Here.
- 2025: DNEG acquires Metaphysic to accelerate AI-powered content creation across film, TV, and beyond.
Why This Matters
DNEG wants to democratize high-end VFX, making Hollywood-level effects cheaper and faster.
- AI de-aging and digital doubles: The same tech used in Here and Mad Max: Furiosa is being positioned as an industry standard.
- Big money: Abu Dhabi’s United Al Saqer Group is pouring $25M into DNEG after previously investing $200M.
- Expanding beyond Hollywood: DNEG says it wants to bring its tools to content creators, advertisers, and even healthcare and education.
Quote from Fisher: "From media and entertainment to retail, to healthcare, to education, and beyond — if you have a story to tell, we now have the tools to bring it to life faster, cheaper, and better than ever before."
The Bigger Picture
Deepfake tech has gone from viral TikToks to billion-dollar industry play. But legal and ethical concerns remain:
- Ownership & consent: Who controls a digital likeness, and how will studios compensate actors when AI replaces them?
- AI’s role in Hollywood: As studios push for AI-driven cost-cutting, will it replace traditional jobs in VFX and filmmaking?
- The tech arms race: While OpenAI and Runway push AI-generated video, DNEG is betting on photorealistic Hollywood-grade AI as its edge.
Our Take
This is a potential game-changer for how movies, TV, and content are made.
Metaphysic started as a fun internet experiment. Now, it’s at the center of a billion-dollar bet on the future of storytelling.
But with AI already a contentious topic in Hollywood (remember the SAG-AFTRA strikes?), DNEG's success will depend on how it balances innovation with ethics.
The technology is here. Now we’ll see who controls it.
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These YouTubers Are Raising Millions...But Will It Work?
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Hollywood and Silicon Valley are colliding as creators raise more money from VC's than ever before.
But let's be honest.
So many creator businesses depend on the creator themselves...so how far will the money go? And what's different now?
Quick Roundup:
- MrBeast is fundraising at a $5 billion valuation.
- Dhar Mann is raising a growth round to scale his content.
- Slow Ventures secured $60 million for a dedicated creator fund.
- WatchMojo has fielded offers from 10 investors.
Why Now?
For years, creators built their businesses with just a camera and an audience. But now, the infrastructure around them is evolving, making them even more investable:
- Creators market themselves: Unlike traditional companies, creators don’t need to burn millions on advertising. Their audience is their distribution.
- AI is lowering production costs: AI-powered dubbing, automated editing, and virtual studios are letting creators scale like never before.
- Money follows attention: Traditional media is losing eyeballs to creators, and investors are taking notice.
With these shifts, investors see what’s coming: a future where creator-led businesses outgrow traditional media.
The MrBeast Factor
MrBeast’s empire already generates $400 million a year across Feastables, Lunchly, and his video production company.
But Beast Games proved just how expensive his ambitions are. Even with Amazon’s backing, he lost millions making it. In our latest BTS episode, he told me he lost $11M in 12 hours.
That’s why he’s raising money. A $5 billion valuation could give him the capital to scale his business beyond YouTube.
Our Take
A decade ago, Disney bought Maker Studios for $500M, thinking they cracked the YouTube code. Turns out, the real power wasn’t in multi-channel networks but in individual creators.
Now, we’re in a new phase: creators raising massive rounds to professionalize and scale.
The question is: Will they sell equity and expand? Or keep control and grow on their own terms?
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🎯 Weekly Roundup: Thumbnails
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Why we love these YT thumbnails:
- Massive rail gun + tiny tank comparison highlights the scale (fern)
- Centered subject and big text create a clean, eye-catching composition (Mike Boyd)
- Handwritten-style text + casual scene give it a relaxed, personal feel (Rena Gao)
- Warm lantern glow contrasts with cold forest, creating a cozy yet mysterious vibe (Isabel Paige)
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Sponsored by Thinkific
Your Guide to a Six-Figure Creator Business
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Running a six-figure creator business isn’t about getting views or subscribers.
It’s about using proven strategies.
That’s why Thinkific is hosting a free webinar on March 25, breaking down the exact methods six-figure creators, coaches, and entrepreneurs use to grow their businesses.
You’ll learn:
- How many followers you need to start a business (hint: it’s less than you think)
- Hidden pitfalls that can slow your growth
- Three proven strategies that top online businesses use to drive revenue
BONUS: Every attendee will receive Thinkific’s 2024 Expert Economy Insider’s Report, packed with data-driven insights to help you scale.
Reserve your spot here and get practical strategies you can start using right away.
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