Ben Affleck, who is currently filming Argo, is set to direct, co-star and produce with Matt Damon a project on Whitey Bulger at Warner Bros. Pictures.
Bulger, now 82 years old, is a former organized crime figure from Boston, Massachusetts. He was said to be a “Robin Hood”-style social bandit who targeted drug kingpins and illegal gambling operations. Beginning in 1975, Bulger served as an informant for the FBI, which ignored his organization in exchange for information on the Italian American Patriarca crime family.
In 1994, there was a pending indictment under the RICO act, causing Bulger to remain at large for 16 years. Bulger was arrested on June 22, 2011 on 19 counts of murder in Santa Monica, California. He has not sought bail and remains in custody at the Plymouth County House of Correction in Plymouth, Massachusetts.
Damon will portray Bulger. Both Affleck and Casey Affleck will co-star in the film, written by Terence Winter.
Affleck and Damon are producing under their production company, Pearl Street Films, through their first-look deal with Warner Bros. Pearl Street’s Chay Carter will executive produce and Sarah Schechter is overseeing for the studio.
(Photo Credit: Judy Eddy / WENN)
