The promo machine is revving up for actor-filmmaker Ben Affleck’s latest trip behind the camera. Hollywood and movies fans are buzzing about Argo following the release of its first full trailer. Will it replicate the box office success and showbiz awards aura of Affleck’s prior films, Gone Baby Gone (2007) and The Town (2010)?
Brave New Hollywood gave you the heads up on Argo last summer. The political thriller is centered on the 1979 Tehran hostage crisis. Affleck directs himself in the lead role with a starry supporting cast that includes Oscar-winner Alan Arkin and Emmy winners Bryan Cranston and John Goodman with Kyle Chandler, Tate Donovan, Clea Duvall, Victor Garber and Chris Messina.
The project was lent an additional shot of A-list oomph when George Clooney agreed to produce with Grant Heslov. The script by Chris Terrio is based on an April 2007 Wired.com article by Joshuah Bearman that told the true story of how the CIA cooked up a fake sci-fi movie project as a cover to smuggle six U.S. diplomats out of Iran. It’s the kind of unbelievable story that nobody would believe if it wasn’t true.
The Canadian government also played a role in the rescue by providing fake passports and cover stories for the hostages—in fact, the mission is popularly known as “The Canadian Caper.”
TRIVIA NOTE: If the word “Argo” sounds familiar, you likely have managed to retain a shred of the classic Greek mythology you studied in school. The Argo is the name of the ship manned by the heroic Jason on his quest for the Golden Fleece; its sailors were known as Argonauts.
Warner Bros. has set Argo for release in October. CLICK HERE for the new trailer.