Ben Affleck is set to take on the lead role in Netflix’s upcoming thriller Animals, stepping in for his best friend Matt Damon, who had originally been slated for the part. According to Entertainment Weekly, Damon’s commitment to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey caused a scheduling conflict, leading to Affleck, who is also directing the film, taking over the role.
While Damon will no longer appear in front of the camera, he remains attached as a producer alongside Affleck and Dani Bernfeld. Animals is set to centre around a mayoral candidate and his wife, who must navigate the tense and harrowing situation of their son’s kidnapping. The film will also feature Gillian Anderson, famed for The X-Files, as the female lead.
In a noteworthy casting update, Affleck’s ex-wife Jennifer Garner had been in discussions for a role in the film, though no official announcement has been made regarding her involvement.
Despite the shift in lead roles, fans of Affleck and Damon’s longstanding creative collaboration need not be disappointed, as the two will still co-star in the upcoming Netflix crime thriller RIP, directed by Joe Carnahan. Alongside the pair, RIP will feature Steven Yeun, Kyle Chandler, and Teyana Taylor.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have worked together for decades, most famously winning an Academy Award for co-writing Good Will Hunting in 1998. Affleck’s directing career has also been highly successful, with his films Gone Baby Gone (2007), The Town (2010), and Argo (2012) earning critical acclaim. Argo went on to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards, along with Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Editing.
Gillian Anderson, meanwhile, has been busy in 2024, appearing in White Bird, Scoop, and The Salt Path. She will soon star alongside Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, and Jodie Turner-Smith in Tron: Ares.
Fans can look forward to Animals streaming on Netflix, with a release date yet to be announced.
