Jennifer Garner turned down starring opposite ex-husband Ben Affleck in Netflix's Animals due to real-life baggage. Get full casting details inside!
Oscar winner Ben Affleck (Argo, The Town) has revealed that ex-wife Jennifer Garner (Alias, 13 Going on 30) declined the opportunity to co-star alongside him in his high-stakes directorial thriller Animals. Produced by Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity alongside Fifth Season and Makeready, the high-profile crime feature is set to premiere globally on Netflix and in select US theaters on October 9, 2026. Emmy winner Kerry Washington was ultimately cast as Affleck's onscreen wife in the political kidnapping drama.
Why Did Jennifer Garner Turn Down Working With Ben Affleck on Animals?
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly ahead of the film's October launch, Affleck shared the internal casting discussions that led to Kerry Washington stepping into the co-lead role.
- Original Casting Vision: The project originally eyed Matt Damon to star opposite Jennifer Garner. However, Damon had to exit due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan's epic film The Odyssey.
- Affleck Steps in as Lead: After Damon's departure, Affleck decided to direct and take on the lead role of Los Angeles mayoral candidate Mark Kimball himself. This prompted him to pitch the female lead to Garner.
- Avoiding Real-Life Distractions: Garner politely declined the role, pointing out that their highly publicized real-life divorce would bring unnecessary baggage that could distract audiences from the fictional story.
- Mutual Respect and Ongoing Friendship: Affleck praised Garner, emphasizing that they remain close friends and great co-parents to their three children: Violet, Fin, and Samuel. He expressed a desire to collaborate on a future project where real-life history would not work against the film's narrative.
What Is Ben Affleck's New Netflix Movie Animals About?
Animals marks Affleck's latest turn behind and in front of the camera, delivering a tense thriller centered on political ambition and family trauma.
- A High-Stakes Kidnapping: When Mark Kimball (Ben Affleck) and his wife Abigail (Kerry Washington) see their young son kidnapped, they are thrust into a perilous race against time.
- Dangerous Political Conspiracy: As the couple fights to rescue their son, they uncover deep political corruption that threatens to destroy Mark's campaign and expose dark secrets.
- Powerhouse Ensemble: Alongside Affleck and Washington, the thriller boasts a stellar supporting cast including Gillian Anderson (The Crown), Steven Yeun (Beef), and Ray Fisher (Zack Snyder's Justice League).
Check out official promotional materials, trailers, and upcoming release details directly on the Netflix.