Ben Affleck Talks ‘Argo,’ Kevin Smith Fans And More Lehane Stories
By Sean O’Connell
Hollywood News
***
Some of us are still getting used to talking about Ben Affleck, The Director.
Most of us grew up watching Ben Affleck, The Marquee Star. Ever since the fresh-faced Bostonian shocked the world (or, at the very least, the film industry) by winning an Oscar for his first screenplay of Good Will Hunting, Affleck has been an integral part of the Hollywood scene. Mostly, he was carrying popcorn blockbusters such as Daredevil or Armageddon. He earned indie cred collaborating with Kevin Smith on Chasing Amy, then fell victim to a string of poor acting choices that resulted in Gigli, Paycheck and Surviving Christmas.
In 2007, Affleck reinvented himself. He cast a fantastic ensemble for his adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s moody detective thriller Gone Baby Gone. Critics and audiences raved. Affleck followed that with The Town, an equally tough-talking Boston gang drama. It was as good, if not better, than his debut film.
The streak continues as Affleck directs Argo, a true-life hostage thriller centered on an unusual plan to abstract U.S. embassy workers from a hostile situation in Iran. Once again, Affleck assembles a top-notch ensemble that includes himself, John Goodman, Alan Arkin, Victor Garber, Tate Donovan and the great Bryan Cranston (whom we spoke with here).
Tags: Alan Arkin, Argo, Ben Affleck, Ben Affleck interview, Bryan Cranston, Dennis Lehane, Gone Baby Gone, John Goodman, Kevin Smith, Tate Donovan, Victor Garber