EXCLUSIVE: After having planned many flights in the Ocean’s Eleven movies, Matt Damon and Casey Affleck are ready to plan another heist as two robbers in The Instigators for Apple Original Movies. Apple recently landed the coveted package which has Doug Liman on board to direct and Damon and Ben Affleck producing through their newly announced Artists Equity banner, along with Jeff Robinov and John Graham through Studio 8 and Kevin Walsh through his The Walsh Company.
The film follows two robbers who must flee with the help of one of their therapists after a heist goes wrong. The script was written by Chuck Maclean and was developed by Robinov, Graham and Casey Affleck.
The project joins the roster behind Ben Affleck and Damon’s new Artists Equity studio, which partners with filmmakers to strengthen creative vision and expand access to profit sharing. The first project announced as part of the Artists Equity slate was Ben Affleck’s untitled drama which tells the true story behind the creation of the iconic Air Jordan brand, led by Ben and Damon. This film is currently in post-production and is already buzzing as one of the most anticipated films of 2023.
GOOD WILL HUNTING, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, 1997
Damon and Affleck’s longtime relationship spans decades that began with the Oscar-winning drama Goodwill hunting, which starred all three of them and won Damon and Ben Affleck the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Since that film, each has worked together on several occasions, including Damon and Casey appearing in three ocean eleven movies and Ben recently directed Damon in the untitled drama Jordan-Nike. Damon also produced Casey in Manchester by the sea, which won Casey the Best Actor Oscar.
The film also marks a reunion for Damon and Liman who helped launch the Jason Bourne series with The Bourne Identity in 2002, which starred Damon and Liman directed.
As for Walsh, the Oscar nominee recently signed a multi-year deal with Apple TV+ to produce movies and TV shows for the streamer, which includes the highly anticipated Ridley Scott outbreak. Napoleon with Joaquin Phoenix.
Damon, Casey Affleck and Ben Affleck are represented by WME and Ziffren Brittenham LLP. Liman is replaced by CAA. Walsh is represented by Gregory Slewett at Johnson Shapiro Slewett & Kole.
