Ben Affleck to Replace Matt Damon in Netflix Thriller ‘Animals,’ Gillian Anderson Joins Cast
variety.comRebecca Rubin Senior Film and Media Reporter Ben Affleck is set to star in his upcoming Netflix thriller “Animals,” which he’s also directing.
His longtime friend Matt Damon was originally slated to lead the film but had to depart due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.” “Animals” is aiming to begin production in Los Angeles this April, according to Deadline, who first reported the casting shakeup.
Meanwhile, “The Odyssey” is expected to commence shooting in various global locations later in February. Billy Ray, the Oscar-winning screenwriter of “Captain Phillips,” “The Hunger Games” and AMC Theatres’ iconic Nicole Kidman ad, is penning the screenplay with Connor McIntyre.
The crime thriller reportedly follows a mayoral candidate whose child is kidnapped. Though Damon won’t appear in “Animals,” he’s remaining on the project as a producer with Affleck through their company Artists Equity, along with executive Dani Bernfeld.
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