Ben Affleck to (possibly) direct BUNKER HILL

[Akijama]

Warner Bros. has reportedly closed on a deal to adapt Nathaniel Philbrick’s upcoming book Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution with Ben Affleck tagged to possibly direct. Affleck will send the book to screenwriter Chris Terrio (Argo) which marks it as a substantial project moving forward. Affleck is currently busy adapting the Dennis Lehane novel Live By Night which he’ll direct, produce and star in. Hit the jump for more on Bunker Hill.

ben-affleckDeadline reports on WB’s acquisition of Bunker Hill with Affleck possibly directing. Author Philbrick is the man behind the pen of In the Heart of the Sea, which has an adaptation set up for Ron Howard to direct and possibly star Chris Hemsworth. Bunker Hill will take Affleck back to New England to tell the story of the bloody clash between American colonists and British troops that united the colonies in their war for independence.

Here’s the book description for Philbrick’s Bunker Hill: A City, A Siege, A Revolution, due out April 30th (via Amazon):

Nathaniel Philbrick, the bestselling author of In the Heart of the Sea and Mayflower, brings his prodigious talents to the story of the Boston battle that ignited the American Revolution.

Boston in 1775 is an island city occupied by British troops after a series of incendiary incidents by patriots who range from sober citizens to thuggish vigilantes. After the Boston Tea Party, British and American soldiers and Massachusetts residents have warily maneuvered around each other until April 19, when violence finally erupts at Lexington and Concord. In June, however, with the city cut off from supplies by a British blockade and Patriot militia poised in siege, skirmishes give way to outright war in the Battle of Bunker Hill. It would be the bloodiest battle of the Revolution to come, and the point of no return for the rebellious colonists.

Philbrick brings a fresh perspective to every aspect of the story. He finds new characters, and new facets to familiar ones. The real work of choreographing rebellion falls to a thirty-three year old physician named Joseph Warren who emerges as the on-the-ground leader of the Patriot cause and is fated to die at Bunker Hill. Others in the cast include Paul Revere, Warren’s fiancé the poet Mercy Scollay, a newly recruited George Washington, the reluctant British combatant General Thomas Gage and his more bellicose successor William Howe, who leads the three charges at Bunker Hill and presides over the claustrophobic cauldron of a city under siege as both sides play a nervy game of brinkmanship for control.

With passion and insight, Philbrick reconstructs the revolutionary landscape—geographic and ideological—in a mesmerizing narrative of the robust, messy, blisteringly real origins of America.

http://collider.com/ben-affleck-bunker-hill/

[EricJ]

Obviously it's "Ben Affleck gets to direct every Boston/Charlestown story", but he might do well with it--
So far, we've only had two big-budget bigscreen Revolutionary War films (outside of the History Channel/A&E), and they were both unholy messes.

We've been waiting for someone SANE to direct one, but the subject keeps getting passed over.

[jpthomas27]

Originally Posted by EricJ

Obviously it's "Ben Affleck gets to direct every Boston/Charlestown story", but he might do well with it--
So far, we've only had two big-budget bigscreen Revolutionary War films (outside of the History Channel/A&E), and they were both unholy messes.

We've been waiting for someone SANE to direct one, but the subject keeps getting passed over.

I disagree. I DO see where your coming from but this movie isn't about Boston. It's about the birth of a nation, the straw that broke the camels back so to speak and the insuing battle that eventually lead to the creation of one of the greatest nations on the planet. The fact that it takes place in the Boston area is actually pretty irrelevant accept for the fact that it's based on true historical events so of course you can't change the location. The movie isn't about Boston, it's about America. Boston just happens to be the place America's fight for independance turned from rebelion to outright war.

Ben is getting consideration becasue he has proven himself to be one of the the most relevant and promising up and comers in the directing world. I think the Boston connection is just a coinsidence in this particular case.

But again... I do get where your coming from.

[Walts Ghost]

Originally Posted by jpthomas27

I disagree. I DO see where your coming from but this movie isn't about Boston. It's about the birth of a nation, the straw that broke the camels back so to speak and the insuing battle that eventually lead to the creation of one of the greatest nations on the planet. The fact that it takes place in the Boston area is actually pretty irrelevant accept for the fact that it's based on true historical events so of course you can't change the location. The movie isn't about Boston, it's about America. Boston just happens to be the place America's fight for independance turned from rebelion to outright war.

Ben is getting consideration becasue he has proven himself to be one of the the most relevant and promising up and comers in the directing world. I think the Boston connection is just a coinsidence in this particular case.

But again... I do get where your coming from.

Which is why I'm already interested in the film. Affleck is turning out to be one hell of a director, so I'm very much looking forward to seeing how this plays out. I'll be keeping an eye on this one.

[Punishment1o1]

I always enjoy any studio's foray into historical dramas as I really enjoy them. To seem them adapt something like Bunker Hill would be interesting as we can all relate to it as we all have studied one time or another in school. Ben Affleck would also be an interesting choice to direct a movie like this and see what he does with a Historical drama.

[FT-86]

Originally Posted by Punishment1o1

I always enjoy any studio's foray into historical dramas as I really enjoy them. To seem them adapt something like Bunker Hill would be interesting as we can all relate to it as we all have studied one time or another in school. Ben Affleck would also be an interesting choice to direct a movie like this and see what he does with a Historical drama.

No disrespect, but wasn't Argo a historical drama? If it is, then yeah I would consider him a good director at historical dramas. I found Argo to be a step away from The Town and Gone Baby Gone, which shows he has good versatility. I hope Ben keeps the winning streak going though.

[Riddler The Slag]

Sounds interesting. Going to be making a trip there in late May and this is a very interesting subject.

Hope it plays out.

[Punishment1o1]

Originally Posted by FT-86

No disrespect, but wasn't Argo a historical drama? If it is, then yeah I would consider him a good director at historical dramas. I found Argo to be a step away from The Town and Gone Baby Gone, which shows he has good versatility. I hope Ben keeps the winning streak going though.

I wouldn't know. I haven't seen Argo nor have I really paid much attention to it. Reading the synopsis, then yeah, I guess it could be. Would it have been better if I would have said it'd be interesting to see how he does with a time-piece like this? Because there's a big difference in portraying the 1980s then the 1770s.

[phillychronicle1981]

who would have thought, Ben affleck from gigli , would be in a hot streak and becoming one hell of a director, me personally i can't wait for this movie and any other future films that he may direct.