Animals, the new film from Ben Affleck, has seen Matt Damon depart the project due to scheduling reasons.
The crime-thriller, which is set to be distributed by Netflix, will reportedly follow a mayoral candidate and his wife after their son is kidnapped, with the pair having no option but to get their "hands dirty".
Netflix unveiled an announcement for the film via its social media channels with a cast list which did not include Damon.
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"Animals, a new kidnapping thriller directed by Ben Affleck, is coming to Netflix," read an announcement post on the @netflixfilm Instagram page.
This announcement also confirmed that Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun will star in Animals alongside Affleck.
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Damon's departure – as reported by Deadline – has been put down to scheduling reasons following his role in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey. However, he is still set to remain on board as a producer.
It was also reported last year that Affleck's ex-wife Jennifer Garner was in talks to star opposite Damon. However, she does not appear in the cast list released by Netflix.
Affleck, who reportedly decided to lead the film following Damon's exit, will direct from a script by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray. Filming is set to get underway soon in Los Angeles.
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Whilst we won't get to see old friends Affleck and Damon team up on screen in Animals, the pair will be seen together as cops in RIP, a crime-thriller from writer-director Joe Carnahan (The Grey, Copshop).
The upcoming Netflix movie is inspired by true events, and the duo star as police officers who discover millions of dollars stashed in a derelict house.
As their team's faith in each other evaporates and outsiders learn about their discovery, everything becomes uncertain – and people wonder who they can truly trust.
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
