Ben Affleck: 'I Couldn't Believe How Good The 'Argo' Script Was, And Had To Direct'

Ben Affleck has already won plaudits on the festival scene for his new movie 'Argo', but it seems that much of that may be due to the script, as the star, who both acts in and directs the film, said that it was "fantastically interesting".

According to Collider, at the film's press day the actor told reporters that his disbelief at how good the screenplay was led him to want to act and direct, saying: "I wanted to play him [Tony] because the script was really interesting." 

The star added: ''It struck me, right away, that you had this thriller and then, in equal measure, this comic Hollywood satire and this really intricate real-life CIA spy story based on truth.

"That seemed like a fantastically interesting and unusual movie to be a part of"

He continued, discussing the difficulties of acting and directing, ''And then, the actor side of my brain that's still in that phase of auditioning and trying to make connections and get work, asked the director of that movie for a job, and the director was in a tough spot and had to say yes.''

He even talked of his disbelief at the standard of the script, saying: ''When I got the script, I couldn't believe how good it was. They said, 'This is our best script.' And I thought that was some executive hyping me on it, but it really was pretty incredible. I was amazed. I talked to Grant and George and said, 'Look, I really want to do this. This is amazing!' And they said, 'Okay, great! Let's do it!'"

If the public like 'Argo' as much as Ben does, it could fulfil its Oscar promise.

PHOTOS: Ben Affleck and family

VIDEO: Beyonce Confirms Exit From Clint Eastwood’s ‘A Star Is Born’
Kim Kardashian And Kanye West To Be First Guests On Kris Jenner's New Show?
Johnny Depp Is Dead... Err Wait, No He's Not