Ben Affleck has had a tumultuous last few years, to say the least. His last directorial effort, Live by Night, released in 2016 to uncharacteristically mixed reviews. The following year, he and longtime partner Jennifer Garner separated. Eventually, Affleck wound up back in rehab. Since then, the actor has taken up acting in other peoples’ films. Just earlier this year, Affleck received glowing reviews for his work in The Way Back in which he plays a former high school basketball star who reluctantly accepts a coaching job at his alma mater.
Now it seems Affleck is ready to jump back behind the camera. Per The Hollywood Reporter, Paramount has tapped the former Batman to both write and direct The Big Goodbye, a feature film adaptation of Sam Wasson’s book The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood, which recounts the making of Roman Polanski’s classic Chinatown starring Jack Nicholson.
Affleck will also produce the project alongside Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who initially nabbed the rights to the book.
Affleck is currently shooting The Last Duel, which has resumed shooting in Ireland. The film tells the story of Knight Jean de Carrouges who must, by the king’s decree, settle a dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel. Matt Damon stars opposite Affleck with Ridley Scott directing. The Last Duel is slated for release on October 15, 2021.
What do you make of this news? Is Ben Affleck the right guy to tell this story? And is The Big Goodbye something you’re interested in checking out? Sound off in the comments below and let me and the rest of the movie-loving world know your thoughts!
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