After making the infamous mockumentary I’m Still Here together, Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck are getting back together. This time, the two will make a more traditional film, with plans to make a Western.
The news was first reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Titled Far Bright Star, the film is based on Robert Olmstead’s 2009 novel and will mark Affleck’s first narrative film as director.
Affleck will co-produce with John Powers Middleton under their new The Affleck/Middleton Project banner. The script was written by Damien Ober.
Far Bright Star is set in 1916 and centers on Napoleon Childs (Phoenix), an ageing man looking for glory by creating his own cavalry to go after Pancho Villa. After his first attack fails, he decides to hit the trail again as a completely changed man.
Affleck and Phoenix are more than just collaborators. Affleck is married to Phoenix’s sister, Summer Phoenix.
Affleck’s next film is The Finest Hours and he just finished Triple 9. The new project will be Phoenix’s first since starring in Woody Allen’s Irrational Man this summer.