We learned back in July that George Clooney was figuring out a new directorial effort, this time based on The Tender Bar. Back then, we speculated whether he'd also star in the film, but things have changed as Deadline reports that Ben Affleck will play a lead role.
The drama has William Monahan adapting JR Moehringer's memoir about growing up in Long Island and looking for father figures among the patrons at his uncle's local watering hole. This one has been floating around for a while, and was originally set up at Sony, with Ted Melfi attached to direct. Once he departed, the studio let the project slide into turnaround, and Amazon swooped in to buy the rights.
Clooney and Affleck have form working together - sharing an Oscar with fellow producer and regular Clooney collaborator Grant Heslov for Argo. So they may well be hoping for more awards success here.
Clooney has The Midnight Sky due on Netflix on 23 December, while Affleck will next be seen in Deep Water and The Last Duel.