No one can ever accuse Ben Affleck of being lazy. As the actor/writer/director is putting the finishing touches on his next film, Live By Night, he’s also waist-deep in the DC Extended Universe playing Batman, executive producing Justice League, and preparing to star in and direct the forthcoming standalone flick for the Caped Crusader. Now, according to a report from Deadline, Affleck is also nearing a deal with Fox that will have him directing and starring in another adaptation based on an Agatha Christie short story entitled Witness for the Prosecution. 

The story was adapted by director Billy Wilder into a film back in 1957, and went on to receive six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture. This new adaptation from Fox is set to be shot from a script from Tyrant and Party of Five writer Christopher Keyser, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jennifer Todd, and the Agatha Christie Estate all serving as producers of the film.

Witness for the Prosecution‘s story follows Leonard Vole, who is accused of murdering an older widow named Emily French. The widow was apparently unaware that Leonard was a married man, and as such, names him as heir to her estate. Needless to say, this looks pretty bad in the eyes of the law, and he is put on trial for the murder of Emily. Coming to his roundabout defense is Vole’s wife Romaine, wherein she becomes a “witness for the prosecution,” meaning she’s pushing evidence against him, not in defense of him. However, she purposely fabricates extra details that would bring her entire account into question, giving Leonard a better chance of getting acquitted.

It’s a great premise, and one that I could see Affleck absolutely nailing in both the starring role and as director. This is a man who is currently three-for-three as a director, and he even locked down the Oscar for Best Picture for Argo, a film he starred in and directed. Affleck has also had a bit of a resurgence on the acting front as well with films like Gone Girl and Batman v Superman, wherein he’s been given praise for his portrayal of his respective characters. Given the crime nature of the story (which Affleck is apparently taking a liking to these days), it’s definitely a tale that fits well within his wheelhouse.

There’s no word yet on when Fox intends to shoot or release this film, but that bit of news is likely to come as soon as this deal is officially closed.

What do you think? Are you looking forward to Ben Affleck taking on Agatha Christie’s Witnesss for the Prosecution? Let us know in the comments down below!

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SOURCE: Deadline