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Coverage dated October 11, 2026

Ben Affleck reveals hilarious reason why Matt Damon passed up lead role in ‘Animals'

Headline from NBC New York

Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Live By Night” at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 9, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

NBC New York's own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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2 articles, oldest first.

  1. NBC New York

    Ben Affleck reveals hilarious reason why Matt Damon passed up lead role in ‘Animals' (opens NBC New York)

    Published

    NBC New York's feed description

    Actors Matt Damon and Ben Affleck attend the premiere of Warner Bros. Pictures’ “Live By Night” at TCL Chinese Theatre on January 9, 2017 in Hollywood, California.

  2. Variety

    ‘Animals’ Star Luis Gerardo Méndez on Working With Ben Affleck and Speaking Out About Immigration: ‘You Could Be Next’ (opens Variety)

    Published

    Variety's feed description

    When Luis Gerardo Méndez got a call from his agents that Ben Affleck wanted to cast him in “Animals,” he was surprised the Oscar winner even knew who he was. “They sent me the script, and it had a very beautiful note at the end from Ben, just saying like, ‘Hey, Luis, I really want […]

Ben Affleck reveals hilarious reason why Matt Damon passed up lead role in ‘Animals' | Since Then