Kerry Washington Consulted Viola Davis Before Signing On to Star in Ben Affleck's Film 'Animals'
Actress Kerry Washington revealed that she reached out to Oscar-winner Viola Davis to ask about working with director Ben Affleck prior to joining his Netflix project 'Animals'. Davis, who previously worked under Affleck on 'Air', gave him her personal endorsement.
Acclaimed actress Kerry Washington did not take any chances when deciding whether to join director Ben Affleck for his Netflix project, 'Animals.' During a promotional hit for the film, Washington shared that she reached out to fellow Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis to get an honest assessment of Affleck's work ethic and directorial style, according to reporting by theGrio.
Davis previously collaborated with Affleck on the sports drama 'Air,' which chronicled the emergence of the Air Jordan shoe line at Nike. In that film, Affleck served as producer, director, and co-star alongside an ensemble cast that included Davis, Matt Damon, and Chris Tucker. Before casting Davis to portray Michael Jordan's mother, Deloris Jordan, Affleck received a personal recommendation from Michael Jordan himself.
Knowing that Davis had direct experience working under Affleck's leadership, Washington reached out to ask whether her experience on the set of 'Air' had been positive. Washington recounted asking Davis for the full scoop on working with Affleck before agreeing to join the project. According to Washington, Davis offered positive feedback, giving Affleck her endorsement.
Affleck admitted during their shared interview that he was already aware Washington had been doing research across Hollywood regarding his reputation behind the camera. He noted that he appreciated learning that Washington had checked up on his background before committing to the film.
In 'Animals,' Washington and Affleck portray a married couple embroiled in political drama surrounding a Los Angeles mayoral campaign. The collaborative relationship on set proved productive, leading to deep professional mutual respect between the two stars.
During their discussions about the production, the pair also spoke about working alongside intimacy coordinators for sensitive scenes. Affleck recalled how Washington took time to guide the process, establishing clear boundaries and rules so both actors felt comfortable and empowered during filming. Washington explained that establishing shared boundaries acts like building a dance floor, allowing the performers to freely dance once the structure is established. Affleck noted that the conversation shifted his perspective and taught him valuable lessons about working collaboratively.
The film 'Animals' is currently available for streaming on Netflix.