Hollywood is abuzz with the news that Jennifer Garner is in discussions to star in an upcoming Netflix crime thriller in a move that intertwines personal history with professional collaboration.
The film, titled “Animals,” is noteworthy for its gripping plot and more so because it could mark a significant reunion in the film industry: Garner may be directed by none other than her ex-husband, Ben Affleck.
The project, penned by screenwriters Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray, delves into the high-stakes world of a politician and his spouse, who are thrust into the murky waters of crime to save their kidnapped son.
Matt Damon, long-time collaborator and friend of Affleck, is poised to play the lead role of the beleaguered politician, while Garner is in talks to portray his wife, which could add an intriguing layer to the film’s narrative given the actors’ shared history.
Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner’s personal story is well-known; they were married for 13 years, from 2005 until their divorce in 2018, and have three children together: Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 11.
While they have shared the screen in the past, notably in “Pearl Harbor” and “Daredevil,” this would be the first time Affleck would direct Garner in a film, a testament to their professional respect and amicable co-parenting relationship post-divorce.
Meanwhile, Jennifer Lopez, Affleck’s current wife, has publicly set boundaries regarding her husband. Her recent comments on a talk show were clear: anyone considering flirting with Affleck should “step all the way off.”
Affleck’s romantic and professional relationship with Jennifer Lopez has also generated much attention. Affleck and Lopez, famously known as “Bennifer,” rekindled their romance in 2021, two decades after their first engagement in 2002. They remarried each other in a surprise ceremony in July 2022, marking a whirlwind romance that has captured the public’s fascination.
Responding to the overwhelming support of the “Animals” trailer ad, Lopez stated, “I know everything he does turns out great because he is a brilliant writer and director.”
The film is tentatively set to go into production in March, with Affleck and Damon producing through their company, Artists Equity. The inclusion of Garner would add a layer of intrigue to the project.
