In a major surprise,Matt DamonandBen Affleckhave teamed withNicole Holofcenerto write a new script titledThe Last Duel– the duo’s first joint effort since they won Oscars forGood Will Hunting.
Ridley Scottis poised to direct the film, which is based on a novel byEric Jager. The revenge story follows two best friends – to be played by Damon and Affleck – and when one goes to war, the other rapes his wife. The soldier learns of this upon his return, but no one will believe his wife, so he’s left with one recourse – he appeals to the king of France and challenges his former friend to a duel to the death. It’s based on a true story about the last legally sanctioned duel in France.
Now, I don’t know who is supposed to play who, but I don’t know if America is ready to see Matt Damon as a rapist. Or is that the whole point, that this would be his first chance to play a really horrible character? I don’t know, but this is a very provocative premise, and I’m very intrigued as to who will take which role. I also have to add that this isn’t exactly what I imagined Scott’s next film would be, and part of me wishes that Holofcener herself was directingThe Last Duel, but beggars can’t be choosers, and I suppose it gives us a brief reprieve from Scott’s threatenedMerlinmovie – something we absolutely don’t need right now.
Apparently, Damon and Affleck will produce via their Pearl Street banner along with Scott andKevin Walshof Scott Free. Jager’s book was actually in development at Fox for many years, so Disney technically owns the script, but it may just let Damon and Affleck shop the project elsewhere, seeing as it doesn’t fit the studio’s mandate, and that’s what Disney did forClint Eastwoodand hisRichard Jewellmovie. I imagine most studios would be eager to have a Damon-Affleck project on their slate.
Damon previously starred in Scott’s Oscar-nominated sci-fi movieThe Martian, and worked with Walsh as a fellow producer onManchester by the Sea. Damon next stars oppositeChristian Balein Disney’s racing movieFord v Ferrari. Apparently, Yahoo photographed Damon carrying around theLast Duelscript, as the project is said to be heating up quickly.
Affleck is coming off of Netflix’sTriple Frontierand next stars opposite Anne Hathaway in the streamer’sThe Last Thing He Wanted. He has also wrapped a Gavin O’Connor alcoholism drama for Warner Bros., as well as Kevin Smith’sJay and Silent Bob Reboot.
Damon and Affleck are represented by WME, and Deadline broke the news aboutThe Last Duel.
