Ben Affleck Replaced Matt Damon After Jennifer Garner Declined Co-Starring Role
Director Ben Affleck cast himself in his film Animals after scheduling conflicts removed Matt Damon and ex-wife Jennifer Garner declined the lead role.
Initial Casting Plans Changed
Ben Affleck originally intended to cast Matt Damon as the male lead before stepping into that part himself. He also considered his ex-wife Jennifer Garner for the female lead but noted she would be amazing in the role. Scheduling conflicts eventually forced him to remove Damon from the project two weeks before production was set to begin.
Affleck Steps Into Lead Role
After Damon left for another project called The Odyssey, Affleck decided to take over the male lead position. He told Entertainment Weekly that he thought Garner would be great but they ultimately decided against the pairing. Both actors agreed they did not want the baggage of playing an on-screen couple.
Production Timeline Shifted
The film was tabled briefly before Affleck revived it with himself in the starring role. He joked that Damon chose a smaller director and a smaller role for his career. The final cast consists of Affleck rather than the originally planned team.
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