The actress decided the casting would bring too much public baggage to the project.

Netflix's upcoming kidnapping thriller 'Animals' almost featured a major Hollywood reunion. The film was briefly on track to put Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner together. They were scheduled to play a married couple on screen. However, Garner ultimately pulled the plug on the idea.

Affleck is directing and starring in the tense new thriller. He recently told reporters the reunion idea came up late in production. Affleck took over the male lead role after scheduling conflicts arose. Once they realized they would play spouses, they quickly reconsidered.

Garner worried audiences would focus entirely on their real-life history.

Affleck recounted her simple reasoning for exiting the high-profile project. She stated clearly that they would just attract unwanted tabloid baggage. Affleck completely agreed with her assessment of the current media landscape. The worry was not about their actual personal relationship.

He described their current dynamic as warm and grounded in mutual gratitude. They simply feared viewers would bring their knowledge into the theater. This distraction could severely undercut the serious story the film tells. Affleck still hopes to collaborate with her in the future.

Kerry Washington officially took over the female lead role instead.

Garner was never an afterthought for the talented director. He originally pictured her in the demanding part from the beginning. The project initially paired Garner with Matt Damon as the central couple. When Damon became unavailable, Affleck stepped into the leading role.

Making the movie together would have simplified their complex co-parenting schedules. However, protecting the integrity of the film remained their top priority. The final cast now includes Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun.

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