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Ben Affleck is moving forward without Matt Damon for his next project, Animals.
The film, a Netflix exclusive, is a thriller hinging on a pivotal kidnapping. Who gets kidnapped and when? It won’t be Matt Damon, who was originally set to star.
Due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, which releases July 17, 2026, Affleck’s long-time collaborator and friend had to step down.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon together again in RIP Ben Affleck and Matt Damon together again in RIP Netflix
Damon will stay on as a producer on Animals through his Artists Equity banner, alongside Affleck. The latter not only directs the film but stars in it as well. To fill the void left by Damon, Affleck has reportedly added Emmy-winning Sex Education actor Gillian Anderson to the cast.
Animals is written by Billy Ray, who previously penned Captain Phillips and Secret in Their Eyes, along with Connor McIntyre. Once the script is finished, Affleck will begin shooting the film in Los Angeles.
The original plan was for Affleck to direct Animals last year, but a legal issue got in the way. According to Deadline,
