Ben Affleck’s crime thriller Animals is making a significant comeback, this time with Gillian Anderson joining the cast alongside Affleck himself. Originally, Matt Damon was set to star in Animals while Affleck directed, but the project faced challenges and was put on hold a year ago due to script issues. Fortunately, those problems have since been resolved, paving the way for the film’s revival.
With Damon now committed to another project, The Odyssey, directed by Christopher Nolan, Affleck is taking the reins not just as a director but also as a leading actor in the film. Gillian Anderson, known for her iconic role in The X-Files and her recent portrayal of Margaret Thatcher in Netflix’s The Crown, will add star power to the already impressive cast. Filming is expected to take place in Los Angeles, with an anticipated start in April.
The screenplay, originally penned by Connor McIntyre and revised by Billy Ray, revolves around the harrowing tale of a mayoral candidate and his wife whose son is kidnapped. Faced with numerous political and personal adversaries, the couple must resort to desperate measures to secure their child’s safety. The film aims to convey a gripping story filled with tension and emotional depth, driven by strong performances from its lead actors.
Affleck, who has a proven track record of successfully balancing directing and acting—having done so in projects like The Town and Argo, the latter winning an Oscar for Best Picture in 2013—will once again showcase his directorial skills along with his acting prowess. His latest directorial effort was 2023’s Air, in which he shared the screen with Damon in a supporting role.
In addition to Affleck and Anderson, the production will see contributions from other notable producers such as Brad Weston and Collin Creighton through their MakeReady banner. Fifth Season, the production, sales, and distribution company, is also on board, having developed the project in partnership with MakeReady. This collaborative effort promises to deliver a high-quality thriller that resonates with audiences.
As anticipation builds for Animals, it is clear that Gillian Anderson’s addition to the cast not only enhances the film’s appeal but also signals a strong commitment to bringing a compelling narrative to life. Anderson will also appear later this year in Tron: Ares and is part of the ensemble in Kurt Sutter’s Western series, The Abandons, set to debut on Netflix. Her involvement in Animals signifies an exciting chapter in her career and adds to the film’s potential impact upon release.
