Well, here’s a face we’d be happier to see more of: Casey Affleck. After directing the underrated faux doc/media stunt “I’m Still Here” Affleck (along with his bud/hip hop star Joaquin Phoenix) kinda dropped off the face of the planet. He was linked to a couple projects here and there that never quite got off the ground, and last fall was kind of totally wasted as part of the ensemble of “Tower Heist.” Later this year, he lends voice to the animated “ParaNorman” but this next project looks like it could be the first real gig for the actor in a while.
Deadline reports that Affleck has taken the pole position to play Christian Bale‘s brother in Scott Cooper‘s “Out Of The Furnace.” Garrett Hedlund, Taylor Kitsch and Channing Tatum were apparently all in the mix, but frankly, the better man seems to have won out. The Black List script was penned by Brad Ingelsby, and follows Slim (Bale), recently released from prison, who intends to marry his girlfriend but instead is drawn into a quest for revenge when his brother is murdered after getting involved in the gambling racket. Affleck will play the brother who meets a grisly end.
This project is getting assembled fast as Bale only has an open calendar until the summer, when he switches over to the upcoming Terrence Malick two-fer “Lawless” and “Knight Of Cups.” Earlier today, Zoe Saldana joined ‘Furnace’ as Slim’s ex-wife, so that cast is looking very good. More to come soon, we’re sure.