Ben Affleck in Talks to Direct Afghanistan War Movie “Red Platoon” for Sony (Exclusive)

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Eager to return behind the camera and redeem himself for Live by Night, Ben Affleck is in early talks to direct the war movie RED PLATOON for Sony, multiple sources have told the Tracking Board.

Affleck is the acclaimed director of Gone Baby Gone, The Town and Argo — the latter of which won Best Picture and earned him a Golden Globe and a DGA Award for directing — so if a deal closes, it would be a major coup for Sony.

Based on the memoir by Clinton Romesha, Red Platoon tells the story of the Battle of Kamdesh, which took place during the War in Afghanistan. On Oct. 3, 2009, more than 300 Taliban fighters launched a predawn raid on Outpost Keating, a remote and controversial American outpost near the Afghan-Pakistani border, overrunning its perimeter defenses and breaching its wire. Staff Sgt. Romesha, a husband and father of three children, planned and led a small band of soldiers in a counterattack against seemingly insurmountable odds, saving dozens of American lives, and ultimately receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions.

Affleck’s brother, reigning Oscar winner Casey Affleck, is being eyed for the lead role, according to insiders. Ben previously directed Casey in his first film, Gone Baby Gone, though the two haven’t worked together since. Red Platoon would also mark Ben Affleck’s first directorial effort outside of Warner Bros. since that 2007 crime drama.

Josh Bratman of Immersive Pictures is producing with George Clooney and Grant Heslov of Smokehouse Pictures, as well as Kerry Foster (Lone Survivor). Adam Cozad wrote the most recent draft of the script, but should Affleck sign on to direct, he would likely bring in one of his trusted collaborators to rewrite the film to suit his vision.

Sony execs Palak Patel and Dan Kagan will oversee the project for the studio, which declined to comment.

Ben Affleck next stars in WB’s Justice League and remains attached to star in The Batman from director Matt Reeves. While Live by Night represented a rare stumble for Affleck as a director, Red Platoon offers the kind of material that’s right in his wheelhouse. He’s represented by WME.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief