Ben Affleck is set to embark on his next directorial project soon, doing double duty by starring in the film as well. An exclusive new report from Deadline reveals that his long-in-development Netflix thriller Animals is set to begin production shortly, with Los Angeles serving as the filming location as soon as the rest of the cast is finalized. Originally, Affleck intended for his long-time collaborator Matt Damon to star in the project, but the constant moving of dates has made Damon no longer a viable option. Instead, Affleck has decided to take on the lead role himself.
Aside from directing, Affleck will star in Animals, and Deadline has also reported that Gillian Anderson has joined the project, although the extent of her role remains unknown. The film will be based on a script written by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, with the latter known for his work on Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games, and Terminator: Dark Fate. While plot details are currently being kept under wraps, Affleck seems intent on playing the lead role to help expedite the pre-production process.
Prior to various delays related to rights issues, Affleck was content to take on the role of director only. The former Batman actor is no stranger to balancing multiple roles in a production, having directed and starred in films such as The Town, Argo, Live By Night, and most recently, Air. Of these films, only Live By Night received poor critical reception, showcasing Affleck’s capabilities as a director.
The production company Artists Equity will be responsible for making Animals, joining a slate of films currently being developed for distribution by Netflix. Although Animals currently lacks a release date, the Netflix Original film RIP (also produced by Artists Equity) is expected to be available on the streaming platform in Fall 2025. This film, directed by Joe Carnahan, sees Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reuniting as two cops who become embroiled in trust issues after discovering a massive seizure of drug money.
Matt Damon’s absence from Animals can likely be attributed to his role in Christopher Nolan‘s upcoming adaptation of The Odyssey, which will start filming soon and is set for release in 2026. With Animals scheduled to start filming in the Spring and likely eyeing a 2026 release date, it is understandable that Damon had to drop out. However, the silver lining to Damon’s departure is the opportunity to see Affleck in a starring role in a project he is directing.
Affleck is undoubtedly a talented filmmaker, and with Gillian Anderson involved, expectations for the upcoming Netflix thriller are high. The combination of Affleck’s dual role as director and star, along with a strong supporting cast, suggests that Animals has all the ingredients of a quality film. In addition to Animals and RIP, Affleck also has The Accountant 2 due for release later this year, further showcasing his busy schedule.
