Kerry Washington on why Ben Affleck’s ‘Animals’ script won her over

Kerry Washington, a 49-year-old actress, expressed her enthusiasm for collaborating with Ben Affleck on his crime thriller, "Animals." Affleck, 54, is the writer and director of the film. Washington had already admired Affleck before he approached her about the project. During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Washington recounted receiving a call from Affleck, who expressed his desire to collaborate on a project.

She was drawn to the opportunity to work with him and hoped the screenplay would meet her expectations. She was particularly intrigued by Affleck's description of "Animals" as a thriller with multiple themes, including marriage. Washington was initially cautious about the emphasis on her character's relationship, as she had experienced the tendency for filmmakers to stress the importance of a marriage to secure an actress's involvement.

However, after reading the script and speaking with Affleck, she was captivated by the film's complex relationship dynamics and the chance to collaborate closely with him. Washington also appreciated Affleck's commitment to involving her in the development process, as he wanted to collaborate and explore the story in greater depth.

This collaborative approach was a major draw for her. During her interview, Washington also touched on the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking. Affleck had discussed incorporating AI into the filmmaking process, emphasizing its role as a subtle, collaborative tool rather than a means to replace actors or generate artificial performers.