MUMBAI: Ben Affleck is in talks to direct Argo, an adaptation of a Wired magazine article titled ‘How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran‘ that revolves around the Tehran hostage crisis. The film being produced by George Clooney and Grant Heslov will also contain elements of wry humor.

Written by Joshuah Bearman and published in April 2007, the story centers on how, during the occupation of the American embassy by Iranians in 1979, a rescue effort was mounted by the CIA and the Canadian government to extract six US diplomats.

The CIA used a disguise expert and concocted a scenario that involved the six being a Hollywood crew scouting a movie titled Argo. Under those disguises, they were able to flee the country.

Of interest is the involvement of comedian Jack Kirby; the artist‘s movie designs and drawings were used by the CIA to sell the existence of the movie.

Affleck has been offered many directorial projects since the critical and financial success of The Town.