Ben Affleck and Gillian Anderson are set to star in kidnapping thriller "Animals" for Netflix, according to an insider with knowledge of the project. Affleck is also set to direct. Matt Damon was originally attached to star in the film but dropped out due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey.

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 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.

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.

The thriller is keeping plot details tightly under wraps for now. Apple TV+ may have the reputation of attracting the true A-listers in Hollywood to its original movies, but don’t count out Netflix. The world’s largest streaming service has no trouble attracting big-name talent,