Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun have officially joined the cast of “Animals,” a gripping kidnapping thriller directed by Ben Affleck for Netflix. This casting announcement highlights the renewed momentum of the project, which had been temporarily sidelined for a year. With filming set to commence in April in Los Angeles, the producers aim to support the local community and reinforce the city’s reputation as a filmmaking hub.
The film, written by Connor McIntyre and revised by Billy Ray, centers around a mayoral candidate and his wife whose son is kidnapped, forcing them to confront numerous enemies—both political and personal. The couple must get their hands dirty in their desperate attempt to save their son.
In “Animals,” Affleck takes on the role of the mayoral candidate, while Washington portrays his wife, moving seamlessly into a role that showcases her talent. Gillian Anderson is set to play a fixer, and Steven Yeun returns as the campaign manager for the candidate. Yeun, who was previously earmarked for this role in the project’s earlier stages, continues to build an impressive portfolio.
This project is being produced by Affleck and Matt Damon through their company, Artists Equity, alongside Dani Bernfeld. Other producers include Brad Weston and Collin Creighton from MakeReady, with Fifth Season also involved in the production. Artists Equity’s Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, and Lucy Damon will serve as executive producers along with Fifth Season, ensuring a robust team behind the film.
Both Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun are recognized for their previous successful collaborations with Netflix. Washington recently led Tyler Perry’s “The Six Triple Eight,” a World War II drama that racked up an astonishing 52.4 million views within its first four weeks. Next, she will star in the third installment of Rian Johnson’s mystery series, “A Knives Out Mystery.” For Steven Yeun, “Animals” marks a return not only to Netflix but to Artists Equity, where he stars alongside Affleck and Damon in the upcoming crime thriller “RIP,” directed by Joe Carnahan. Yeun’s previous work in the Netflix series “Beef,” which earned him an Emmy Award for outstanding lead actor, further solidifies his status as a prominent performer.
This film represents significant opportunities for both Washington and Yeun, with their individual star power bringing heightened anticipation for the project. As “Animals” gears up for production, its impact on the careers of both actors, as well as the film industry within Los Angeles, remains to be seen, but the excitement surrounding the cast certainly signals a promising collaboration ahead.
