Ben Affleck to Direct & Star in ‘Animals’ — Shoots in March [Updated]

UPDATE: Steven Yeun and Kerry Washington have joined the cast of “Animals” (via THR). I’m wondering if Netflix would want to fast track this one for a late 2025 Oscar run. It’ll all depend on the quality of the film, and how much confidence Netflix actually has in its awards chances.

EARLIER: Following “Air,” Ben Affleck has decided that his next directorial effort will be “Animals.” Since his originally intended lead, Matt Damon, is shooting a Christopher Nolan this month, Affleck has cast himself in the lead role opposite Gillian Anderson (“The X-Files”). Netflix will be overseeing the entire project.

Connor McIntyre wrote the script with revisions by the always-reliable Billy Ray. The story will tackle an L.A. mayoral candidate (Affleck) and his wife (Anderson) whose son gets kidnapped. With most of their money gone due to campaign spending, they just have a few hours to “get their hands dirty” and come up with the ransom payment.

Affleck was weighing in on a few different options for his next directing gig, but ultimately settled on “Animals.” The project was originally supposed to be shot last year, but Affleck instead opted to make “The Accountant 2.”

A recent listing on Production Weekly had the film starting production next month in Los Angeles. There’s obviously no released date planned just yet for the film.

Although I wouldn’t call myself an unadorned fan of his filmography, Affleck in the director’s chair is always an interesting proposition. He’s directed four fairly well-reviewed films (“The Town,” “Gone Baby Gone,” “Air”), including a Best Picture winner (“Argo”) and only one misfire (“Live By Night”).

An Affleck-directed film tends to stray far away from IP, and lean more into adult-oriented dramas. No point in complaining about that. His films are old-school storytelling. “Animals” seems to again be leaning towards that direction.