AceShowbiz - Ben Affleck has taken over the lead role in his upcoming film Animals, while Jennifer Garner has exited the project, TheWrap reports. Originally, Animals was set to star Garner and Matt Damon as a married couple caught up in a kidnapping plot, but production was postponed after Affleck learned that Spike Lee was developing a similar thriller titled Highest 2 Lowest.

Variety adds that the delay came just two weeks before filming was to begin, prompting the initial version of Animals to be shelved. When the project resumed months later, Damon was unavailable due to his commitment to the film The Odyssey, leading Affleck to step into the male lead. Imdb notes that this change also influenced Garner’s decision to leave, as the former couple decided against working together to avoid potential audience distraction related to their past relationship. Affleck and Garner maintained a good friendship and expressed hopes to collaborate in the future despite not co-starring in this film.

Animals was co-written by Ben Affleck, Connor O. McIntyre, and Billy Ray. The story centers on Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped, forcing him and his wife Abigail to scramble for ransom money within a tight deadline. Kerry Washington ultimately replaced Garner in the role of Abigail. The cast also includes Gillian Anderson, Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Adriana Paz.

Deadline reports that Ben Affleck directs, co-writes, and stars in Animals, which is set to debut on Netflix on October 9, following a limited theatrical release. The film marks another high-profile project for Affleck, who has a diverse career spanning acting, directing, and writing, with notable credits including Good Will Hunting and multiple award nominations.

This article is based on reporting originally published by TheWrap.