In an exciting development, Luis Gerardo Méndez and Adriana Paz have joined the cast of the upcoming Netflix crime thriller, Animals. Ben Affleck will star and direct this gripping film, which also features Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, and Gillian Anderson. Filming is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles, with the script penned by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray. The plot centers around a kidnapping, although further details remain under wraps.
Affleck, along with collaborators Matt Damon and Dani Bernfeld, will produce the film through their studio, Artists Equity, which was co-founded by Affleck, Damon, and Gerry Cardinale of RedBird Capital Partners. The production team also includes Brad Weston and Collin Creighton from Makeready, who developed the project in partnership with Fifth Season. Alongside them, Artists Equity’s Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, and Lucy Damon will serve as executive producers, signifying a strong lineup backing this thrilling endeavor.
This project marks a significant milestone for Méndez, who is one of Mexico’s biggest stars, known for his lead role and executive producing Netflix’s first Spanish-language original comedy series, Club de Cuervos. His recent achievements include directing the Netflix film Techno Boys, where he also starred. This film became the most-watched in Netflix Latino America upon its release in September 2024.
Méndez has also been part of the limited series, Who Killed Him?, airing on Amazon alongside Diego Boneta and Belinda, which was released in May 2024. In addition, he stars in the feature film Skincare, alongside Elizabeth Banks, Nathan Fillion, and Lewis Pullman, directed by Austin Peters and released in August 2024.
Paz recently appeared in the Oscar-nominated film, Emilia Perez, enhancing her profile in the industry. Her other projects include Chupa and Death’s Roulette. Both actors are well represented in the industry, indicating their rising status in Hollywood.
The collaboration of Ben Affleck with a talented cast and crew promises to elevate Animals into a must-watch thriller when it hits Netflix, potentially impacting the crime thriller genre significantly.
