Ben Affleck's unrealized projects
The following is a list of unproduced Ben Affleck projects in roughly chronological order. During his long career, American filmmaker Ben Affleck has worked on several projects which never progressed beyond the pre-production stage under his direction. Some of these projects fell in development hell, were officially canceled, were in development limbo or would see life under a different production team.
as director
The Trade
On February 18, 2010, Affleck was set to direct and produce Dave Mandel’s screenplay “The Trade,” with Matt Damon, Sean Bailey, and Jennifer Todd producing and Universal Pictures was set to distribute,[1] until May 8, 2014, Jay Roach was set to direct “The Trade” instead of Affleck.[2]
Replay film
On October 19, 2010, Affleck was in talks to direct and produce the feature film adaptation of Ken Grimwood’s novel Replay, with Jason Smilovac writing the screenplay and Warner Bros. was set to distribute,[3] but on October 19, 2010, Robert Zemeckis was set to direct and produce the film adaptation instead of Affleck.[4]
Gangster Squad
On December 1, 2010, Affleck was in talks to direct Will Beall’s screenplay “Gangster Squad,” but Ruben Fleischer was hired instead.[5]
Line of Sight
On August 23, 2011, Affleck was set to direct, produce and possibly star in F. Scott Frazier’s action thriller screenplay “Line of Sight” with Joel Silver, Alex Heineman & Andrew Rona producing, and Warner Bros was set to distribute,[6] but on December 19, 2012, Mouse McCoy was set to direct “Line of Sight” instead of Affleck.[7]
The Middle Man pilot/series
On September 13, 2013, Affleck was set to direct the pilot episode & produce The Middle Man, a crime drama pilot written by Glen Gordon Caron, Michael Yebba and Emilio Mauro, with Caron also attached as the showrunner and produce with Chay Carter and Fox giving a pilot order.[8][9] On January 24, 2014, the pilot was put on pause due to Affleck’s schedule for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice.[10]
The Batman film
Witness for the Prosecution film
On August 19, 2016, Affleck was hired to direct and produce a new adaptation of the Agatha Christie novel Witness for the Prosecution, with Christopher Keyser writing the screenplay, Jennifer Todd, Matt Damon and Agatha Christie’s estate producing and 20th Century Fox distributing.[11]
Ghost Army film
On April 23, 2019, Affleck was hired to direct, produce and star in “Ghost Army,” the World War 2 film adaptation of Rick Beyer and Elizabeth Sayles’ novel “Ghost Army of World War 2,” with Nic Pizzolatto writing the screenplay, Andrew Lazar and Madison Ainley producing the film and Universal Pictures will distribute.[12]
King Leopold’s Ghost film
On November 21, 2019, Affleck was hired to direct and produce the feature film adaptation of Adam Hochschild’s novel King Leopold’s Ghost, with Farhad Safinia writing the screenplay, Martin Scorsese, Emma Koskoff-Tillinger, Harry Belafonte, Gina Belafonte and Madison Ainley producing the film and One Community will finance.[13]
as producer only
The Blade Itself film
Race to the South Pole
On September 19, 2012, Affleck was set to produce Race to the South Pole along with Matt Damon and Jennifer Todd producing from a pitch by Peter Glanz, Casey Affleck was set to star and Warner Bros set to distribute.[14]
Sleeper film
More Time with Family series
On October 10, 2013, Affleck was set to produce More Time with Family, a sitcom based on Tom Papa’s comedy act, with Papa writing the series with Cathy Yuspa and Josh Goldsmith, Matt Damon producing and CBS giving a pilot order.[15] On February 14, 2014, Alyson Hannigan was casted in the series.[16]
Offers
American Hustle
The Stand film
References
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (February 18, 2010). "Warner Bros Finally Going Ahead With Shocking Film About Yankees Sex Scandal". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (May 8, 2014). "Jay Roach to Direct Baseball Sex Scandal Movie for Warner Bros". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (October 19, 2010). "Ben Affleck Mulling 'Replay,' a 22-Year Old Suddenly Hot Project At Warner Bros". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (October 19, 2010). "Robert Zemeckis Heading Back to the Future With Replay". Vulture. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (December 1, 2010). "Warner Bros Wants Ruben Fleischer To Lead 'Gangster Squad'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (August 23, 2011). "Ben Affleck in Talks to Direct and Star in Thriller 'Line of Sight' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (December 19, 2012). "Black List Writer Tapped to Work on 'Line of Sight' for Warners (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 13, 2013). "More Time with Family Comedy from Executive Producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Lands at CBS with Put-Pilot Commitment". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Goldberg, Lesley (September 13, 2013). "Ben Affleck to Direct, Exec Produce Fox Crime Drama Pilot". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2014). "Fox Pilot 'The Middle Man' On Pause As Ben Affleck Becomes Unavailable To Direct". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (August 19, 2016). "Ben Affleck & Fox Plot 'Witness For The Prosecution'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 23, 2019). "Ben Affleck to Star in and Direct World War II Caper 'Ghost Army'". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (November 21, 2019). "Ben Affleck To Direct 'King Leopold's Ghost', About Unlikely Trio Who Exposed Atrocities In Plunder Of Congo". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Kit, Borys (September 19, 2012). "Ben Affleck, Matt Damon to Produce 'Race to the South Pole' at Warner Bros. (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Trumbore, Dave (October 10, 2013). "More Time with Family Comedy from Executive Producers Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Lands at CBS with Put-Pilot Commitment". Collider. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Marechal, AJ (February 14, 2014). "Alyson Hannigan Cast in Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's CBS Comedy". Variety. Retrieved May 1, 2024.