It looks like there’s a cast shakeup going on with Ben Affleck‘s upcoming Netflix thriller “Animals.” Variety reports that Matt Damon must drop out of the film’s starring role due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan‘s epic “The Odyssey.” Affleck will replace his longtime friend and Artists Equity partner in the role. Additionally, Gillian Anderson joins the cast, with more casting news expected before the film starts shooting in LA in April.
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Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray co-write the political thriller, which stars Affleck as a mayoral candidate whose son gets kidnapped. No word yet on who Anderson will play.  Affleck and Damon lead producers via Artists Equity with Dani Bernfeld, with Brad Weston and Collin Creighton also producing via MakeReady.  “Animals” was co-developed by Makeready and Fifth Season, previously known as Endeavor Content. Executive producers on the project include Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, and Lucy Damon via Artists Equity.
“Animals” will be Affleck’s latest directing gig after 2023’s hit “Air.” Affleck’s filmmaking credits over the years include the Oscar Best Picture-winning “Argo” and “The Town.” Other upcoming acting roles for Affleck include “The Accountant 2,” another Artists Equity project, which premieres at SXSW 2025 next month, and “RIP,” a crime thriller that co-stars Damon, Teyana Taylor, and Sasha Calle.
Recent credits for Anderson include “Scoop,” “The Salt Path,” and “Sex Education.” The actress also stars in the upcoming blockbuster sequel “Tron: Ares,” which hits theaters on October 10.
Expect “Animals” to hit Netflix sometime in 2026