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Ben Affleck recasts Jennifer Garner after ex-wife baggage concerns
Ben Affleck recasts Jennifer Garner as love interest in 'Animals' after fearing audience baggage from their on-screen pairing.
In brief
Ben Affleck recasts Jennifer Garner as love interest in 'Animals' after fearing audience baggage from their on-screen pairing. Affleck chose Kerry Washington over Jennifer Garner to avoid potential audience baggage from their real-life relationship. Originally reported by Page Six.
Quick answers
- Why recast?
- Ben Affleck decided to recast Jennifer Garner after offering her the love interest role in 'Animals' due to concerns about audience baggage from their real-life relationship.
- What is the key takeaway from Ben Affleck recasts Jennifer Garner after ex-wife baggage concerns?
- Affleck chose Kerry Washington over Jennifer Garner to avoid potential audience baggage from their real-life relationship.
Why recast?
Ben Affleck decided to recast Jennifer Garner after offering her the love interest role in 'Animals' due to concerns about audience baggage from their real-life relationship.
“I still would wanna work with her in the future, but what you don’t wanna do is take the audience’s baggage and have it work against you.”
Initial plan
Affleck initially planned to cast Matt Damon as the lead and Jennifer Garner as his love interest in 'Animals' but had to recast when Damon became unavailable.
“I thought, God, Jen Garner would be amazing for this role.”
Co-parenting benefit
Casting Garner would help coordinate their co-parenting schedules for their three children, allowing both parents to see their kids more frequently.
“We can coordinate our schedules around it.”
Recast decision
After Matt Damon was unavailable for 'The Odyssey', Affleck recast Jennifer Garner's role with Kerry Washington to avoid potential audience baggage.
“We don’t wanna do that. You just get baggage.”
Real-life connection
Affleck and Garner met on the set of 'Pearl Harbor' in 2001, married in 2005, and have three children together.
“We’re really good friends, and I’m profoundly grateful to her.”
Current status
The exes remain close, co-parenting amicably and often hang out with their children, despite splitting in 2015.
“To love and be loved by a great dad is a gift.”
The key point
Affleck chose Kerry Washington over Jennifer Garner to avoid potential audience baggage from their real-life relationship.
