Ben Affleck reveals Jennifer Garner was intended for role in ‘Animals’

Ben Affleck originally intended to cast his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, in his upcoming Netflix film ‘Animals’, scheduled for release on October 9, 2026. Affleck had planned to direct the project with Matt Damon in the lead role.

Affleck noted that casting Garner would have offered the practical benefit of coordinating their filming schedules to allow for more consistent shared childcare for their three children. However, the collaboration did not materialize. The project was briefly put on hold to avoid thematic overlap with Spike Lee’s ‘Highest 2 Lowest’, which also features a kidnapping plot.

Due to scheduling conflicts involving Matt Damon, Affleck ultimately decided to take on the lead role himself. The role of the politician’s wife in ‘Animals’ will instead be played by Kerry Washington.