Brief
Luis Gerardo Méndez talks Ben Affleck collaboration and immigration message in new film “Animals”
Méndez says Affleck rewrote his character to reflect authentic immigrant experiences and wants audiences to see why people flee violence.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Actor Luis Gerardo Méndez told Variety that Ben Affleck personally reached out to cast him in the upcoming film “Animals,” and that the director reshaped Méndez’s role to portray a realistic undocumented Mexican boyfriend.
What happened
Affleck, who directs, co‑writes and stars in “Animals,” sent Méndez a script with a note expressing his desire to work together and promising a rewrite focused on Méndez’s character. The two first met on the first day of rehearsals, where Affleck greeted Méndez enthusiastically, calling him “the best actor in Mexico.” Méndez plays Ramon, the undocumented partner of the housekeeper of a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped in the plot.
What the reports add
According to Méndez, Affleck spent an hour in his office explaining his excitement, referencing Méndez’s performance in “Narcos: Mexico.” The actor said Affleck read his mind about the character, adding missing elements of representation and speech. Méndez also highlighted his own background, noting his rise to fame with the 2013 comedy “The Noble Family” and his role as corrupt cop Victor Tapia in the third season of “Narcos: Mexico.”
What was said
“It was so magical because it was like if Ben had read my mind, like all the things that I thought about the character that were missing, about the proper representation, about the proper way of speaking of the characters … everything was there,” Méndez told Variety.
He added, “What I want the audiences to think about for a second is: no one leaves their homes because they want to. They leave it because they’re running away from violence, from political persecution.” He emphasized that most immigrants are “hard workers” taking “the biggest risks with the least protection.”
How it came about
Méndez splits his time between Los Angeles and Mexico City and serves as a goodwill ambassador for UNHCR. His involvement in “Animals” follows his earlier success in Mexican cinema and international streaming series, positioning him to bring personal insight to the film’s immigration theme.
Key facts
- Ben Affleck personally contacted Luis Gerardo Méndez to cast him in "Animals". (variety.com)
- Méndez plays Ramon, an undocumented Mexican boyfriend of the housekeeper in the film. (variety.com)
- Affleck rewrote the script to improve representation and dialogue for Méndez's character. (variety.com)
- Méndez hopes the movie sparks conversation about why immigrants flee violence and persecution. (variety.com)
- Méndez also works as a UNHCR goodwill ambassador. (variety.com)
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “‘Animals’ Star Luis Gerardo Méndez on Working With Ben Affleck and Speaking Out About Immigration: ‘You Could Be Next’”
