In an exciting development for the upcoming Netflix thriller ‘Animals’, directed by Ben Affleck, the ensemble cast has gained three notable additions. Actors Ray Fisher, Mark Kassen, and Christopher Woodley are set to join established stars such as Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Luis Gerardo Méndez, and Adriana Paz.

About Mark Kassen

Mark Kassen, a Golden Globe and Emmy-nominated filmmaker, actor, and playwright, is not new to the industry. He founded Like Minded Entertainment and co-created the civic engagement platform A Starting Point. His directing and producing repertoire includes acclaimed works such as Puncture, featuring Chris Evans, and Bernard and Doris, starring Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon.

Moreover, Kassen has played significant roles in the production of multiple scripted and documentary series across major networks like Fox, MTV, and AMC. He has also showcased his talent on stage, starring in the Tony Award-winning Broadway production The Last Night of Ballyhoo and in the acclaimed off-Broadway multimedia piece Little Willy. Recently, he directed and starred in the political thriller PH-1, which features a diverse cast including Abubakar Salim and Dina Shihabi.

Production Insights

Filming for ‘Animals’ is actively taking place in Los Angeles, with the screenplay crafted by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray. The film aims to highlight Los Angeles not just as a backdrop, but as a vital component of the narrative. Following the recent wildfires that affected the region, the production team is dedicated to sustaining local employment and reinforcing Los Angeles as a pivotal center for the film industry.

Production Team

The film is being produced by a collaborative team that includes Affleck, Matt Damon, Dani Bernfeld, and Lucy Damon from Artists Equity—the artist-led studio formed by Affleck and Damon in partnership with Gerry Cardinale from RedBird Capital Partners. Additionally, Brad Weston and Collin Creighton from Makeready are involved in development in conjunction with Fifth Season.

Executive producers for the project include Michael Joe and Kevin Halloran of Artists Equity, alongside partners from Fifth Season.