Luis Gerardo Méndez has opened up about his collaboration with director and co-star Ben Affleck on the thriller "Animals," detailing how a standout television role led to an unexpected casting call and how the narrative intersects with real-world immigration discussions.
The Mexican actor, who rose to prominence in his home country following his performance in the 2013 comedy "The Noble Family," initially learned about Affleck's interest through his talent representatives. Méndez admitted he was surprised the Oscar-winning filmmaker was familiar with his work. Along with the script, Affleck included a personal message expressing his eagerness to collaborate and pledging to rewrite Méndez's specific part to ensure the portrayal felt complete before production commenced.
'Animals' Key Cast and Character Details
| Actor | Character | Character Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ben Affleck | Unnamed Businessman | Candidate running for Los Angeles mayor |
| Kerry Washington | Unnamed Wife | Spouse of mayoral candidate |
| Christopher Woodley | Denny | Kidnapped son of mayoral candidate |
| Adriana Paz | Housekeeper | Domestic worker for the central family |
| Luis Gerardo Méndez | Ramon | Undocumented boyfriend of the housekeeper |
How a 'Narcos: Mexico' Role Caught Ben Affleck's Attention
The two performers did not connect in person until they arrived for the first day of rehearsals. During that initial encounter, Affleck greeted Méndez with high praise, introducing him enthusiastically to the crew as one of Mexico's finest actors. Méndez later inquired about how Affleck had discovered him.
Affleck revealed that his decision stemmed directly from watching Méndez's performance as Victor Tapia, a conflicted police officer in the 2021 third season of the Netflix crime series "Narcos: Mexico." Affleck was so impressed by the performance that he immediately contacted Matt Damon—who was originally slated to star in the project—insisting that they secure Méndez for the production.
Plot Details and Authentic Representation in 'Animals'
In "Animals," Affleck serves as director, co-writer, and lead actor. The storyline follows a businessman campaigning for mayor of Los Angeles who, alongside his wife, played by Kerry Washington, faces a crisis when their son Denny (Christopher Woodley) is abducted.
Méndez portrays Ramon, an undocumented Mexican man who is the partner of the couple's housekeeper, portrayed by Adriana Paz. When events surrounding the kidnapping deteriorate, Ramon becomes unintentionally entangled in the efforts to resolve the situation. Méndez commended Affleck's revisions to the screenplay, noting that the filmmaker accurately addressed nuance, voice, and authentic cultural representation without requiring extensive notes.
Advocacy, Humanitarian Work, and Global Migration
Outside of his acting career, Méndez divides his residence between Mexico City and Los Angeles while serving as a goodwill ambassador for the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). He emphasized that while "Animals" is crafted as entertainment, he hopes audiences reflect on the harsh realities that compel people to leave their native countries, noting that most migrants face tremendous peril while simply seeking honest work and security.
The actor also addressed recent events, expressing grief regarding family separations and referencing the recent shooting of 28-year-old Oscar Belgal by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in New York. Méndez emphasized that human dignity must remain intact regardless of an individual's legal standing. Furthermore, he pointed to global climate shifts as an escalating factor that will drive future displacement worldwide, urging communities to practice empathy as migration patterns continue to evolve globally.
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Source: Variety
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