European digital post powerhouse Das Werk has established a key presence in the North American market by taking over Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin's Los Angeles-based facility Centropolis Effects (CFX).

Emmerich and Devlin, who launched the company in 1996 to handle digital effects on Independence Day, will receive a 4% stake in Das Werk following the integration of CFX into the group. The director-producer team will have a consultative role via seats on CFX's advisory board.

Emmerich said the alliance created a "stronger, larger effects group" and that "CFX will be put in the position of being able to provide filmmakers access to all digital post-production services under one roof".

According to Das Werk, the animation research and development team at CFX, which has feature credits including Godzilla, End Of Days and The Grinch, will be expanded. Devlin said: "Roland and I always wanted to put CFX's business onto a global level and extend it to commercials and music videos."

Das Werk's proposed global post-production network now includes Spain's En Efecto, the UK's Glassworks and a 15% stake in France's Mikros Image. The Neuer Markt-listed company also has interests in Switzerland, Portugal, Canada and Korea, and is turning its sights on a Benelux presence.