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Ben Affleck is set to star in and direct the upcoming Netflix thriller Animals after longtime friend and collaborator Matt Damon stepped down due to scheduling conflicts. Damon, who was initially cast in the lead role, will remain involved as a producer alongside Affleck and Dani Bernfeld under their Artists Equity banner.
Damon's departure was attributed to his commitment to Christopher Nolan's adaptation of The Odyssey, which clashed with Animals' production schedule. Filming is set to begin in April 2025 in Los Angeles, with the movie expected to be released in 2026.
The plot of Animals revolves around a kidnapping. According to Netflix's logline, "When the son of L.A. Mayoral Candidate Milo Bradford is kidnapped, he and his wife have a few hours to come up with the ransom payment. With most of their money spent on his political campaign, they have to get their hands dirty, exposing a side of their lives they never intended to see the light of day."
Gillian Anderson, best known for The X-Files, has been confirmed as the female lead. Earlier reports suggested that Affleck's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, was in discussions for a role, but Anderson has since been officially cast. The screenplay is being written by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, known for their work on Captain Phillips and The Hunger Games.
Despite the casting change, Affleck and Damon's collaboration remains strong. The duo, who won an Academy Award for co-writing Good Will Hunting in 1998, will reunite in Netflix's upcoming crime thriller RIP, directed by Joe Carnahan. They will star alongside Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, and Teyana Taylor.
Affleck has established himself as a successful director, beginning with Gone Baby Gone in 2007. He followed up with The Town in 2010, which earned Jeremy Renner an Oscar nomination, and Argo in 2012, which won Best Picture. His recent projects include Live by Night (2016) and Air (2023), the latter starring Damon. Additionally, Affleck is set to reprise his role in The Accountant 2.
