Ben Affleck Almost Cast Ex-Wife Jennifer Garner in ‘Animals’ Before Recasting Decision
Affleck said Garner stepped away over divorce-related attention, and Washington took the role as the film moved through multiple casting changes.
- Ben Affleck originally cast ex-wife Jennifer Garner in his 2026 crime thriller Animals but ultimately decided to recast the role, revealing the decision in an Entertainment Weekly interview.
- Production on Animals initially featured Affleck's friend Matt Damon as the lead opposite Garner, but Damon departed to film The Odyssey, leaving Affleck to step into the role himself.
- Playing opposite Garner created a "wrinkle" for Affleck, who worried their real-life history would generate "baggage" and distract audiences from the film's narrative.
- Affleck consulted with Garner, who agreed the casting would draw unwanted attention to their divorce, leading actor Kerry Washington to replace her as Abigail.
- Now streaming on Netflix, Animals features Washington in the lead role, though Affleck insists he remains "good friends" with Garner and hopes to collaborate with her in the future.
11 Articles
11 Articles
ComingSoon.net
MandatoryJennifer Garner & Ben Affleck Almost Reunited on Screen After 23 Years
Ben Affleck revealed why Jennifer Garner didn’t end up starring in his new Netflix thriller, Animals. The actor-director explained how a series of unexpected production changes led to Garner’s departure and Kerry Washington’s casting. Why Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner didn’t reunite for Animals Ben Affleck originally cast his ex-wife Jennifer Garner as the therapist wife in his Netflix thriller Animals, he told Entertainment […] The post Jenni…
The Independent
The Independent (US)Ben Affleck explains why ex-wife Jennifer Garner was dropped from his Netflix film
The Daredevil co-stars were married for 10 years and have three children together
Ben Affleck reveals almost casting Jennifer Garner as wife in 'Animals'
Ben Affleck is opening up about the casting reshuffle behind his new Netflix crime thriller Animals, revealing he originally planned for ex-wife Jennifer Garner to play the female lead, and even considered starring opposite her himself before...
Ben Affleck thought for a while to offer the main role of his next film "Animals" to his former companion, Jennifer Garner, in which he would have incarnated her husband. Before deciding with her not to do so because of the potential complications that it could have created. A false idea. Director of the film "Animals", to be discovered from 9 October on Netflix, Ben Affleck will also hold the leading role alongside Kerry Washington, Gillian And…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
