Ben Affleck Reportedly ‘Thrilled’ to Star with Longtime Crush Gillian Anderson in New Netflix Thriller!

Ben Affleck is thrilled about his latest role, and it’s not just because of the script! The actor, who recently split from Jennifer Lopez, is set to star alongside The X-Files legend Gillian Anderson in Netflix’s upcoming thriller Animals—and he’s always had a soft spot for her.

An insider told RadarOnline.com that Affleck is buzzing about stepping into the lead role, which originally belonged to his longtime friend Matt Damon.

“Ben’s got quite the tale brewing about stepping in for Matt, claiming it’s all down to ‘scheduling,'” the source said. “Sure, the film’s been pushed back, but the buzz is that they’re rolling cameras by late March! And guess what? Everyone can’t stop gushing about the sizzling chemistry between Gillian and Ben.“

Affleck is reportedly a huge fan of Anderson: “He’s totally starstruck by her!” the insider added. “Here’s the juicy bit—Gillian has long been wary of dating the famous types, but Ben’s smarts might just be her downfall. He’s been gushing about how sexy she is and how much he fancies her. He’s lovestruck and starstruck and says Matt’s loss is his big gain.“

While fans will have to wait and see if their chemistry translates on screen, both actors are known for their professionalism. “Ben is a true pro, so he won’t let his pent-up emotions get in the way of delivering his usual polished performances,” the source continued. “And Gillian is known for being a stickler when it comes to her acting craft.“

Along with starring in Animals, Affleck is also directing the film. Damon had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming movie The Odyssey, which is set to start filming in February. Meanwhile, Animals is expected to begin production in Los Angeles this April.

The screenplay is written by Billy Ray (Captain Phillips, The Hunger Games) and Connor McIntyre. The story follows a mayoral candidate whose child is kidnapped, promising plenty of drama and suspense.

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