Joaquin Phoenix and Casey Affleck are set to reunite for the Western “Far Bright Star,” in which Joaquin will star and which Affleck will direct, TheWrap has learned.
The drama, adapted from the 2009 novel by Robert Olmstead, is set in 1916 and follows an aging cavalryman (Phoenix) who leads a team of men hunting for the Mexican revolutionary Pancho Villa. He is left to survive alone in the desert after the group is attacked and most of the men are killed.
Affleck and Phoenix collaborated on 2010’s “I’m Still Here,” in which Phoenix’s fake transition from actor to rapper is showcased.
John Powers Middleton (“The Lego Movie”) is producing alongside Affleck, marking their first film for The Affleck/Middleton Project, which was launched in June 2014. Damien Ober wrote the screenplay.
Affleck will star in the upcoming Disney thriller, “The Finest Hours” and “Triple 9.” Phoenix recently starred in “The Irrational Man.”
Affleck is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham, while Phoenix is represented by WME and Sloane Offer.