Robert Rodriguez Casts Ben Affleck For His Mystery Thriller ‘Hypnotic’

Ben Affleck has picked his next project as director Robert Rodriguez has cast him in his upcoming action-thriller “Hypnotic.” The Oscar winner will be teaming up with the “Alita: Battle Angel” director for the first time in a film with a budget that is close to an indie feature, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The “Justice League” star will be portraying a detective hired to investigate a series of impossible heists. He soon gets caught up in a mystery that involves his missing daughter and a secret government program. Rodriguez and “Godzilla” scribe Max Borenstein wrote the film.

“Hypnotic” is reportedly being budgeted between $60-$80 million as the film is being shopped to the American Film Market this week. The upcoming movie will be the first project bringing together Studio 8 and Solstice Studios. Studio 8’s Jeff Robinov, Guy Danella, and John Graham will be producing the film along with Rodriguez. Solstice will be in charge of handling the U.S. release and international sales.

In a statement, Robinov said, “Working with Ben on his award-winning projects, including 'Argo' and 'The Town,' I have seen how his versatility and creativity has made him one of the most talented filmmakers both in front of and behind the camera.” He added, “It’s very meaningful to be collaborating with Ben again on this uniquely riveting suspense thriller, and I know he and Robert will make a terrific film together.”

Affleck is currently shooting Adrian Lyne’s romantic thriller “Deep Water.” The actor also has Ridley Scott’s film “The Last Duel” in the pipeline. The project will see him reunited with Matt Damon onscreen based on a script they both co-wrote. He will also be in Dee Rees’ “The Last Thing He Wanted” and director Gavin O’Connor’s next feature “The Way Back.”

Production on “Hypnotic” is scheduled to start in April 2020. No release date has been given.