Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun have gracefully joined the esteemed ensemble of Ben Affleck and Gillian Anderson in "Animals," a gripping kidnapping thriller helmed by Affleck for Netflix. This casting announcement underscores the intense buzz surrounding the project, which has regained momentum after a year-long hiatus. "Animals" is poised to commence production in Los Angeles in April, with producers advocating passionately for a local shoot to preserve jobs within the community and reinforce L.A.'s status as a preeminent filmmaking hub.
Penned by Connor McIntyre with subsequent polish by Billy Ray, this crime thriller revolves around a mayoral candidate, portrayed by Affleck, and his wife, essayed by Washington, whose son falls prey to a sinister kidnapping plot. Amidst a labyrinth of adversaries, both political and otherwise, the desperate parents are compelled to navigate murky waters to secure their son's safe return. Anderson steps into the role of a fixer, while Yeun takes on the mantle of the candidate's campaign manager, a part originally envisioned for him in an earlier iteration of the project.
Affleck and Matt Damon are producing through their Artists Equity banner, alongside Dani Bernfeld, with Brad Weston and Collin Creighton of MakeReady also lending their producing prowess. Fifth Season, who developed the project in tandem with MakeReady, joins the fray as a producer. Michael Joe, Kevin Halloran, and Lucy Damon of Artists Equity will executive produce alongside Fifth Season.
Washington, who recently led Tyler Perry's phenomenally successful film "The Six Triple Eight" — a World War II drama that amassed 52.4 million views in its initial four weeks on Netflix — will next star in Rian Johnson's upcoming mystery sequel "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery." This collaboration in "Animals" marks Yeun's reunion with Netflix and Artists Equity, following his starring role alongside Affleck and Damon in the upcoming crime thriller "RIP," directed by Joe Carnahan. Yeun's credentials also include an Emmy Award for his outstanding performance in the lead role of the 2023 black comedy "Beef," where he shared the screen with Ali Wong.
Washington is represented by CAA, Washington Square Arts, The Lede Company, and Hanson Jacobsen, while Yeun, who will next appear opposite Robert Pattinson in Bong Joon Ho's "Mickey 17," is managed by WME, Hansen Jacobson, and Narrative. Together, they bring a rich tapestry of talent to "Animals," promising a thrilling cinematic experience that is both timely and timeless.
