Affleck is also set to direct the film, which Damon departed due to shooting conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey. Oscar-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell) will co-write the screenplay with Connor McIntyre.

As founding exec Michael Joe steps back, the production banner bolsters its leadership with the hiring of former Paramount veteran Andrew Gumpert while promoting Dillon West.

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,

Ben Affleck's crime thriller Animals is coming back together, this time with a new star very familiar to the filmmaker. Himself. Matt Damon was originally on board to star in Animals, with Affleck in the director's chair,

Ben Affleck is set to star in his upcoming Netflix thriller "Animals," which he's also directing. His longtime friend Matt Damon was originally slated to lead the film but had to depart due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan's upcoming epic "The Odyssey.