Ben Affleck's crime thriller Animals is coming back together, this time with a new star very familiar to the filmmaker. Himself. Matt Damon was originally on board to star in Animals, with Affleck in the director's chair,

Animals' director Ben Affleck has replaced his longtime friend Matt Damon in the movie, which has also cast 'Sex Education' star Gillian Anderson.

Affleck is also set to direct the film, which Damon departed due to shooting conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey. Oscar-nominated screenwriter Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell) will co-write the screenplay with Connor McIntyre.