MOVIE NEWS – Ben Affleck is gearing up for his next directorial project, pulling double duty as both director and lead actor. According to an exclusive report from Deadline, his long-in-development Netflix thriller Animals is set to begin production soon, with filming taking place in Los Angeles once the rest of the cast is finalized. Originally, Affleck intended for his longtime collaborator Matt Damon to star in the project, but scheduling conflicts made that impossible. Instead, Affleck has decided to step in and take the role himself.

In addition to Affleck’s starring role, Deadline reports that Gillian Anderson has joined the cast, though details regarding her character remain under wraps. Animals is based on a screenplay written by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, the latter of whom has penned scripts for Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, and Terminator: Dark Fate. Plot specifics are currently being kept secret.

Affleck’s decision to take the lead role appears to be aimed at expediting production. Initially, he was content with serving only as the film’s director, but after multiple delays due to rights issues, he opted to play the protagonist himself. The former Batman actor is no stranger to wearing multiple hats in a production, having both directed and starred in films like The Town, Argo, Live By Night, and most recently, Air. Of these, only Live By Night received poor critical reception, further solidifying Affleck’s reputation as a skilled filmmaker.

Ben Affleck and Netflix Have Several Exciting Projects Lined Up

The production of Animals falls under Artists Equity, a creative studio and production company. This isn’t the only upcoming project under their banner that will be distributed by Netflix. While Animals has no confirmed release date, Artists Equity’s RIP is set to debut on the streaming platform in Fall 2025. Directed by Joe Carnahan, the film reunites Matt Damon and Ben Affleck as two cops who find themselves in a dangerous situation after uncovering a massive drug money stash, leading to tensions within their team.

Matt Damon’s departure from Animals is likely due to his commitment to Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which begins filming soon and is slated for a 2026 release. With Animals also beginning production this spring and likely targeting a 2026 debut, it’s unsurprising that Damon had to step away.

If there’s a silver lining to Damon’s absence, it’s the opportunity to see Affleck take center stage in a project he’s directing. Affleck has already proven himself as a formidable filmmaker, and with Gillian Anderson now attached to the project, Animals is shaping up to be a highly anticipated Netflix thriller. In addition to Animals and RIP, Affleck also has The Accountant 2 set for release later this year.

Source: MovieWeb