Jennifer Garner Declined Ben Affleck's Offer to Play Love Interest in New Film

Jennifer Garner turned down an offer from ex-husband Ben Affleck to play his love interest in his upcoming movie, "Animals." Affleck shared the anecdote during an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Thursday.

"Jen was like, ‘Great, but no, I’m not gonna play your wife in a movie,'" Affleck recounted, adding with a laugh, "Probably for the best. That lesson has been learned."

Affleck and Garner, who previously starred as love interests in the 2003 Marvel film "Daredevil," met on the set of "Pearl Harbor" in 2001. According to Affleck, both Garner and their mutual friend Matt Damon were initially slated to star in "Animals." However, the film's concept underwent changes, leading to Damon's departure to pursue "The Odyssey."

Affleck then cast himself in the lead role and selected Kerry Washington as his love interest. He explained to Entertainment Weekly that he initially wanted Garner for the part partly to facilitate their co-parenting schedule.

"It also has the added benefit of, like, both of us will see our kids more because we do a week and a week and back and forth. I thought, ‘Well, we can coordinate our schedules around it,'" Affleck told the publication.

Despite Garner's refusal, Affleck expressed a desire to collaborate with her on future projects, emphasizing their positive relationship. "She's fabulous, and we're really good friends, and I’m profoundly grateful to her, and we have a great thing," he stated.

Affleck and Garner were married in June 2005 and have three children together: Violet, 20, Seraphina, 17, and Samuel, 14. They divorced in 2018 but have maintained a close relationship, particularly in their co-parenting efforts.