Narcos: Mexico actor Luis Gerardo Méndez has joined Ben Affleck in Netflix's upcoming crime thriller, titled Animals. In addition to starring, Affleck will also direct the movie from a script by Connor McIntyre and Billy Ray.

Ben Affleck is set to star in his upcoming Netflix thriller “ Animals ,” which he’s also directing. His longtime friend Matt Damon was originally slated to lead the film but had to depart due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s upcoming epic “The Odyssey.”

The project has been revived with Affleck still in the director’s chair. But he will now star in it as well. Gillian Anderson, the X-Files star who in recent years appeared as Margaret Thatcher in Netflix’s The Crown, is also joining the production. As before, the project aims to shoot in Los Angeles and is looking at an April start.

“Animals, a new kidnapping thriller directed by Ben Affleck, is coming to Netflix. Starring Ben Affleck, Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, and Steven Yeun,” wrote the streamer alongside pictures of the cast.

Kerry Washington and Steven Yeun join Ben Affleck's directorial thriller 'Animals', which also stars Affleck and Gillian Anderson. The plot centers around a mayoral candidate and his wife, whose son is kidnapped,

Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Oscar-winner Ben Affleck is set to star in as well as direct the new Netflix movie, Animals. He will also produce the film alongside his frequent collaborator Matt Damon, the streaming service announced Thursday. The X Files and The Crown alum Gillian Anderson has signed on to co-star.