India, Feb. 6 -- Hollywood actor-director Ben Affleck is set to take on the lead role in Animals, the upcoming Netflix thriller he was already lined up to direct. According to a report in the Entertainment Weekly, the role was initially meant for Matt Damon, who remains attached as a producer alongside Ben and Dani Bernfeld. However, Matt's commitment to Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey clashed with the production schedule for Animals, ultimately leading to Ben stepping in.

Gillian Anderson, best known for The X-Files, has been cast as the female lead. Meanwhile, it was previously noted that Ben's ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, had been in discussions for a role. The film is said to revolve around a mayoral candidate and his wife, who are forc...