Ben Affleck says he still hopes to work with Jennifer Garner on a future movie, even after the former couple decided that his new Netflix thriller Animals was not the right project for an onscreen reunion.
Affleck originally considered Garner and longtime collaborator Matt Damon for key roles in the film. After Damon moved on to another project, Affleck and Garner ultimately agreed that casting her as his character’s wife could distract audiences because of their real-life history.
Kerry Washington took the role instead, but Affleck made clear that the decision does not reflect any reluctance to collaborate with Garner.
Affleck praises Garner’s talent
In recent interviews, Affleck spoke warmly about Garner as both an actor and a friend and said he would still like to find the right project for them to make together.
The pair share three children and have maintained a close co-parenting relationship since their divorce. Their personal history has also made the possibility of an onscreen reunion a recurring subject of interest among fans.
Animals arrives on Netflix
Animals stars Affleck as a political candidate whose family is thrown into crisis after his son is kidnapped. Washington plays his wife, with Gillian Anderson, Adriana Paz, Ray Fisher and Steven Yeun also appearing.
The thriller begins streaming on Netflix on October 9 and is also receiving a select theatrical release.
Affleck’s comments leave the door open for a future project with Garner — another chapter in a period when he has been speaking more broadly about his career and Artists Equity — but he appears determined to wait for a story where their real-life connection supports the movie rather than overwhelming it.