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Tony Mendez

Tony Mendez Dies: David Letterman “Cue Card Boy” Was 76
Image
Tony Mendez, a cue card handler who became a popular member of David Letterman’s onscreen gang of real-life characters, died July 29 at his Miami Beach home. He was 76.

His death was confirmed by former companion Andrew Corbin to The New York Times. A cause was not disclosed.

Mendez, born in Havana, Cuba, was among the Late Show With David Letterman staffers who became regular onscreen presences and even stars in their own right, a roster that also included stage manager Biff Henderson, announcer Alan Kalter and assistant Stephanie Birkitt.

During his 21-year Late Show tenure in the role Letterman dubbed “cue card boy,” Mendez even hosted a popular series of online videos, called The Tony Mendez Show, for the Late Show website. Mendez had occasionally handled cue cards for Letterman during the earlier NBC Late Night With David Letterman era, taking over the role full-time when the host moved...
See full article at Deadline Film + TV
  • 8/23/2021
  • by Greg Evans
  • Deadline Film + TV
David Letterman's Cue Card Man Fired for Colleague Clash
New York (AP) - David Letterman's longtime cue-card holder says he wound up cuing his own firing by getting aggressive with a colleague.

Tony Mendez tells the New York Post in a story published Sunday he lost his job after grabbing a co-worker by the shirt Oct. 9 behind the scenes at CBS's "Late Show with David Letterman."

CBS directed an inquiry to Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants. A spokesman said Worldwide Pants won't comment on personnel matters.

Attempts to reach Mendez weren't immediately successful Sunday.

The 69-year-old Mendez tells the Post he knows he knows he shouldn't have laid a hand on his colleague. He says Letterman wasn't apprised of any tensions between the two.

Mendez has become familiar to "Late Show" viewers, appearing in episodes going back to at least 1997.

Check out New From Moviefone on LockerDome on LockerDome...
See full article at Moviefone
  • 10/20/2014
  • by The Associated Press
  • Moviefone
Tony Mendez, 'The Late Show With David Letterman' 'Card Guy,' Fired After Scuffle With Writer Bill Scheft
Tony Mendez, aka ‘Dave’s Cue Card Boy’ from The Late Show With David Letterman, was fired after assaulting show writer Bill Scheft.

David Letterman Cue Card Guy Fired

Mendez has worked as David Letterman’s cue card guy for over two decades and was frequently featured on the show. A fan-favorite, Mendez even had his own web series, where he would take fans behind the scenes of The Late Show, called “The Tony Mendez Show.”

Speaking out after being let go from the late night show, Mendez says that it wasn’t always fun and games off screen. In fact, Mendez frequently fought with Scheft, saying, “Bill is always undermining me – making himself out as Dave’s No. 1, trying to pretend that I wasn’t even in the room…little passive-aggressive things.”

Tony Mendez Roughed Up Writer Bill Scheft

On Wednesday, Oct. 8, Mendez claims Scheft provoked him during a rehearsal,...
See full article at Uinterview
  • 10/20/2014
  • Uinterview
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
David Letterman's Cue Card Guy Fired After Assaulting Writer Bill Scheft at Rehearsal
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
The cue card guy on “Late Show with David Letterman” has lost his job after reportedly assaulting Bill Scheft, an Emmy-nominated writer on the late-night show. “I know I shouldn't have put my hands on him,” the 69-year-old Tony Mendez told the New York Post. “But this has been coming for a long time.” The altercation between Mendez, who has regularly been shown on-air during the broadcasts, and Scheft occurred on Oct. 9 before the show's Thursday taping. But it was set off by a verbal confrontation with Scheft, a 15-time Emmy nominee, a day earlier, Mendez told the Post. See photos: Party.
See full article at The Wrap
  • 10/19/2014
  • by Todd Cunningham
  • The Wrap
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
'Late Show' Cue Card Writer Fired After Assaulting Writer
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
There are probably more than ten reasons why you shouldn't insult your boss and assault your co-worker, as a longtime Late Show With David Letterman staffer has learned.  Late Show cue card writer Tony Mendez, known to the show's watchers for his regular on-camera appearances, has been fired from the show after physically confronting staff writer Bill Scheft. The New York Post previously reported the news. On Oct. 8, Mendez was rehearsing with Scheft and David Letterman in the host's dressing room. Mendez didn't appreciate Scheft interrupting him, and so he snapped at Scheft: "I know what I'm

read more...
See full article at The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
  • 10/19/2014
  • by Ryan Gajewski
  • The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
David Letterman's Cue-Card Holder Tony Mendez Fired After Alleged Assault on Set
David Letterman, Regis Philbin, Barbara Gaines, Biff Henderson, Alan Kalter, and Paul Shaffer in Late Show with David Letterman (1993)
A new position may be open at The Late Show. The New York Post reports that David Letterman's cue-card holder Tony Mendez, who often got air-time between jokes, was fired recently after allegedly assaulting a staff writer on set. The incident reportedly took place within the past two weeks when Mendez, 69, got into a verbal altercation with writer Bill Scheft over changes in cue cards. The next day, Mendez grabbed the 15-time Emmy winner's shirt and pushed him against a wall. Mendez has previously worked on Saturday [...]...
See full article at Us Weekly
  • 10/19/2014
  • Us Weekly
Letterman’s longtime cue-card guy fired for assaulting a 'Late Show' writer
Letterman’s longtime cue-card guy fired for assaulting a “Late Show” writer Tony Mendez — who's also host of “The Late Show’s” web series “The Tony Mendez Show” was terminated last week after getting into argument with writer Bill Scheft. “I know I shouldn’t have put my hands on him,” the 69-year-old Mendez tells the NY Post. “But this has been coming for a long time.” Report: An autopsy was never performed on Joan Rivers Melissa Rivers requested that an autopsy not be performed, and that means we’ll never learn what exactly killed Rivers, according to TMZ. Mindy Kaling and Matt Damon are starring in a Super Bowl commercial together The pairing is notable because Kaling once starred in a stage show called “Matt & Ben” about Damon and Ben Affleck’s friendship, where she played Affleck. No word on what product they were filming their commercial for. “Glee...
See full article at Hitfix
  • 10/19/2014
  • by Norman Weiss
  • Hitfix
Bryan Cranston Books Affleck’s Argo, The Gangster Squad
Apparently starring in a hit TV show for AMC wasn’t enough for for Bryan Cranston, because the former “Malcolm in the Middle” dad has been keeping himself pretty busy in the movies as well. After landing the lead baddie in Len Wiseman’s “Total Recall” reboot, Cranston has now booked two additional projects: a CIA agent in Ben Affleck’s “Argo” and an L.A. cop in “The Gangster Squad”. In Affleck’s true-story about the Tehran hostage crisis and the CIA’s attempt to rescue some Americans caught behind enemy lines, Cranston will play “Jack O’Donnell, an Irish CIA agent from Boston and Dwight Eisenhower’s wartime bodyguard.” Affleck, who will also direct, had previously cast himself as the lead, playing Tony Mendez, the CIA agent who created a fake Hollywood production to get six American hostages out of Iran. Who says Hollywood is only good for rotting the brain?...
See full article at Beyond Hollywood
  • 7/1/2011
  • by Nix
  • Beyond Hollywood
Goodman, Cranston in Talks for Affleck’s Next
John Goodman and Bryan Cranston are in talks to join the hostage thriller Argo, the third film from director Ben Affleck.

Based on a true story, the somehow still underrated Affleck will star as CIA agent Tony Mendez in a covert operation to extract six Americans trapped in the Canadian embassy in Iran by posing them as a film crew scouting locations for a sci-fi movie (Argo). Academy Award winner Alan Arkin already joined the cast as Lester Siegel, a former spy turned movie producer who becomes involved in the scheme.

Goodman will play John Chambers, an Oscar-winning make-up technician on Planet of the Apes in real life, who helps the CIA fake the production circa 1979. Cranston, who is crushing it in the AMC series “Breaking Bad,” is circling the part of Jack O’Donnell, Mendez’s CIA boss and former bodyguard to President Eisenhower. He is the dissenting voice...
See full article at newsinfilm.com
  • 6/30/2011
  • by Jeff Leins
  • newsinfilm.com
Bryan Cranston to Join Ben Affleck’s Argo
Yeah, yeah, Argo time again! Of course, things with the upcoming Ben Affleck‘s project are getting quite serious, so we’re here today for an instant casting update!

Check this out, it looks that Bryan Cranston is also in negotiations to star in the whole thing, to take on one of the lead roles, and to join the cast that already includes John Goodman, Alan Arkin and Affleck himself!

Just in case you’ve missed our previous Argo reports, check the rest of this one for more interesting details.

So, Argo is written by Chris Terrio, and his script is based on the article titled ‘How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran’ which chronicles an effort by the CIA and the Canadian government to rescue six U.S. diplomats from the U.S. Embassy that was controlled by Iranian revolutionaries.

Basically, we are...
See full article at Filmofilia
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Fiona
  • Filmofilia
Sure Shots: Argo; Roger Avary; Will Ferrell may Swear to God for Warner Brothers
* I thought this was pretty much a given, but it's been confirmed that Ben Affleck will be starring in his next directorial effort, the Israeli hostage film, Argo. He'll play Tony Mendez, the CIA espionage expert who puts the fake movie production scheme into full gear. Also joining the cast is the extremely busy Bryan Cranston(Breaking Bad), slotted as Mendez's boss, Jack O'Donnell. They join...
See full article at Punch Drunk Critics
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Travis Hopson
  • Punch Drunk Critics
Bryan Cranston
Bryan Cranston in Talks For Ben Affleck’s ‘Argo’
Bryan Cranston
This is a piece of info that could probably be rounded up into an aggregate casting piece, but I love the idea of Ben Affleck's film Argo so much that we'll give it some space. The movie is based on the true story [1] of CIA agents posing as a movie crew in Tehran, while really attempting to smuggle diplomats out of the country. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing; the script is by Chris Terrio based on “How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran [2]” by Joshuah Bearman. This week saw the confirmation that Ben Affleck would play the lead role, CIA agent Tony Mendez, and Alan Arkin and John Goodman have been recently [3] confirmed [4], too. Now Bryan Cranston is negotiating for a role -- this guy is on a tear lately. Bryan Cranston would play CIA agent Jack O'Donnell, a former bodyguard...
See full article at Slash Film
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Russ Fischer
  • Slash Film
Bryan Cranston In Talks For Ben Affleck’s ‘Argo’
Ben Affleck cast himself in the lead role of his next film, Argo, which puts him alongside John Goodman and Alan Arkin. THR now says that we can soon add someone else to the cast, and that someone is Emmy winner Bryan Cranston.

The Breaking Bad star has been cast as CIA agent Jack O’Donnell, who was the former bodyguard to President Eisenhower, and is now the boss of Affleck‘s Tony Mendez, the lattermost of whom was in charge of the whole operation that the movie is centered on.

If you didn’t already know, Argo tells the true story of the CIA’s operation to free the six American hostages who were held in Iran in the late 70s, an operation that involved pretending to be a film crew that was scouting locations around the hostage’s holding place. The name of this fake movie was — you guessed it!
See full article at The Film Stage
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Nick Newman
  • The Film Stage
Bryan Cranston Joins Ben Affleck's CIA Rescue Film Argo
The Breaking Bad actor adds the espionage thriller about CIA agents disguised as filmmakers scouting locations to his busy slate. Argo is based on Joshuah Bearman‘s Wired magazine article titled How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran.. Ben Affleck will direct and star in the film which is based on actual events that occurred in 1979. It's not known whether the movie will have a humorous undertone considering its wacky premise or whether Affleck will play the role of Tony Mendez as completely serious. The movie centers around the CIA’s attempt to rescue six U.S. diplomats trapped in their embassy after Iranians took it over. The operatives disguised the six diplomats as a movie crew scouting locations for a fictional film called Argo. Actor and acclaimed...
See full article at The Daily BLAM!
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Eric Whitman
  • The Daily BLAM!
Ben Affleck Cast as Lead in Own Project
In addition to directing political thriller, Argo, Ben Affleck has decided he is the best casting choice for leading man.

Based on a 2007 Wired magazine article, Argo centres on the 1979 occupation of the American embassy by Iranians, when a CIA rescue effort to extract six Us diplomats takes place.

Variety has reported that Affleck will star as exfiltration expert Tony Mendez who was used by the CIA.

He is also in final negotiations with big-named actors John Goodman and Alan Arkin to co-star in the film, while George Clooney has been locked as one of the film’s producers.

Affleck is set to be fairly busy with directing duties, as he is tipped to also have an adaptation of French thriller Tell No One on the go.

Argo will be Affleck’s third directorial effort on a feature film, having previously achieved success with gritty crime dramas Gone Baby Gone and The Town.
See full article at LOVEFiLM
  • 6/29/2011
  • by claire.lester@lovefilm.com (Claire Lester)
  • LOVEFiLM
Ben Affleck Will Also Star in His Argo
Argo is definitely familiar project for all of us, and I’m sure you’ll be glad to hear the latest update on the upcoming Ben Affleck‘s project.

Apparently, all those rumors (that we already shared with you) were true, and Affleck is indeed attached to star as the lead!

Ok, we do admit it’s a little bit confusing, since we already had a chance to hear that Affleck cast Alan Arkin and John Goodman and at one moment we all thought Arkin is on board to play the lead. But now, it looks that Affleck has cast himself for that part…

According to Variety, Affleck is now interested in playing character named Tony Mendez, “the CIA exfiltration expert who created a fake Hollywood production to get six Americans who were hiding out at the Canadian ambassador’s out of Iran.”

That obviously means Goodman and Arkin will...
See full article at Filmofilia
  • 6/29/2011
  • by Fiona
  • Filmofilia
Ben Affleck
Bryan Cranston Up For Argo
Ben Affleck
On days like this, we wonder if Bryan Cranston ever wishes he could take a trip in a time machine back to the days when he was working on Malcolm In The Middle and thrill his younger self with the number of solid acting jobs he’d be winning in the future. His latest? Cranston is in negotiations to join Ben Affleck’s next directorial gig, Argo.Affleck’s been steadily building his cast over the last week or so, with Alan Arkin and John Goodman already aboard the true-life hostage tale. And Cranston is not the only actor cast in the last few hours, as the director has also tracked down someone he definitely knows he can work with – himself.Yes, in the story of Us diplomats smuggled out of the American embassy in Iran in 1979 under the guise of a film crew scouting for a sci-fi movie, Affleck is playing Tony Mendez,...
See full article at EmpireOnline
  • 6/29/2011
  • EmpireOnline
Argo Lands Bryan Cranston
Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston is in talks to join the cast of Argo, just one day after director Ben Affleck cast himself as the lead.

Bryan Cranston will portray Jack O'Donnell, a Boston-bred CIA agent who used to be President Eisenhower's personal bodyguard. The project is based on the true story of an unusual plan to rescue six American hostages in Iran. Ben Affleck will star as Tony Mendez, the mastermind behind this plan to convince the Iranians that the hostages are actually members of a Hollywood film crew who are scouting locations in Iran for a fake movie called Argo. The hostages used these fake identities to flee the country unscathed. Alan Arkin also stars as Hollywood producer Lester Siegel, and John Goodman plays special effects artist John Chambers, who also participated in the complex ruse.

Ben Affleck will direct Argo from a screenplay by Chris Terrio,...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 6/29/2011
  • by MovieWeb
  • MovieWeb
Bryan Cranston In Talks For Ben Affleck’s Argo!
Ben Affleck recently confirmed that he would not only direct Argo, a drama about the 1979 Iran hostage crisis, but he would also play the lead role in the film. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Affleck began assembling his supporting cast via talks with Breaking Bad star Bryan Cranston. Affleck confirmed his role as CIA hostage expert Tony Mendez, who led the covert mission to free the six U.S. embassy employees hiding in the Canadian embassy in Tehran by portraying the six guests as a Hollywood film crew scouting locations for a movie called Argo.
See full article at Upcoming-Movies.com
  • 6/28/2011
  • Upcoming-Movies.com
Argo Director Casts Himself as Lead
It should be smooth sailing for this film.  Ben Affleck is so sure of his abilities to direct himself, he has decided that he will play the lead in his latest film Argo, according to Variety.

Affleck will play Tony Mendez, a CIA infiltration specialist who pretends to be part of a Hollywood production to free six Americans who were stuck in Iran during the hostage crisis. 

The story is based on a 2007 Wired Magazine article and will be produced by George Clooney.  John Goodman and Alan Arkin are also close to being cast in the film.

This is the third major film directed by Affleck.  He also directed (and starred in) The Town, alongside Jeremy Renner, and directed Gone Baby Gone, starring his brother Casey Affleck and Michelle Monaghan.
See full article at Reel Movie News
  • 6/28/2011
  • by alyssa@mediavine.com (Alyssa Caverley)
  • Reel Movie News
Ben Affleck to direct himself in 'Argo'
Ben Affleck will star in the Warner Bros. political thriller "Argo," which he is also directing.According to Variety, George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing through their Smoke House shingle along with David Klawans.The film is based on a "Wired" magazine article by Joshuah Bearman, published in 2007 and titled "How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran."Chris Terrio wrote the screenplay. The film is set during the occupation of the American embassy by Iranians in 1979. A joint rescue effort was organized by the CIA and the Canadian government to extract six U.S. diplomats.The CIA used a disguise expert named Tony Mendez (Affleck) and came up with a scenario that involved the six diplomats...
See full article at Monsters and Critics
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Adnan Tezer
  • Monsters and Critics
Director Ben Affleck to Star in Argo, Also
It pays to be the director — you get to cast yourself in the lead. Hey, it works for Clint Eastwood. Which is what Ben Affleck has done for his next film “Argo”, his follow-up to his Award-winning “The Town”. Affleck will direct and play “Tony Mendez, the CIA exfiltration expert who created a fake Hollywood production to get six Americans who were hiding out at the Canadian ambassador’s out of Iran.” Also in the cast are Alan Arkin and John Goodman, with George Clooney and Grant Heslov (“The Men Who Stare at Goats”) producing. “Argo” will be based on an April 2007 Wired magazine article by Joshuah Bearman, which revealed the true story of how the CIA rescued six U.S. diplomats who’d been taken hostage at the American embassy by a group of Iranians in 1979. The CIA’s ruse involved the explanation that the six hostages were actually...
See full article at Beyond Hollywood
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Nix
  • Beyond Hollywood
Ben Affleck To Play The Lead In "Argo"
Ben Affleck certainly made good use of the casting couch for his third directorial effort "Argo" as he's decided to cast himself as the leading man reports Variety.

Based on Joshuah Bearman's 2007 Wired magazine article, the wryly humoured political thriller 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 U.S. diplomats.

The CIA used exfiltration expert Tony Mendez (Affleck) and concocted a scenario that involved the six being a Hollywood crew scouting a sci-fi movie titled "Argo". Under those disguises, and with the help of artwork by legendary comics creator Jack Kirby, they were able to flee the country.

Alan Arkin and John Goodman are in final negotiations to co-star in the film which George Clooney, David Klawans and Grant Heslov are producing. Chris Terrio wrote the screenplay.
See full article at Dark Horizons
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Garth Franklin
  • Dark Horizons
Ben Affleck to direct and star in Argo
Ben Affleck is set to star in 'Argo'. The 'Armageddon' actor - who is already in line to direct the movie - has reportedly cast himself in the role of main character Tony Mendez, a CIA exfiltration expert who attempts to get six Americans hiding at the Canadian embassy in Iran out of the nation. The six characters are disguised as a Hollywood crew who scout a film called 'Argo' as they attempt to flee the Asian country. Ben - who has directed 'The Town' and 'Gone Baby Gone' - has cast John Goodman and Alan Arkin...
See full article at Virgin Media - Movies
  • 6/28/2011
  • Virgin Media - Movies
John Goodman Cast in “Argo”, Ben Affleck’s Next
If you’ve been around for awhile you know that most if not all John Goodman news floating around out there will end up here on the City of Films. The man is one of the greats, I don’t know anyone who doesn’t think so. Today comes news that Goodman is close to joining the cast of Ben Affleck’s Argo says Variety.

Argo is based on Joshuah Bearman’s Wired Magazine article, How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran about “how the CIA and the Canadian government teamed to rescue six U.S. dipomats who’d been taken hostage at the American embassy by a group of Iranians in 1979. The CIA’s ruse involved the explanation that the six hostages were actually a Hollywood film crew scouting a movie titled “Argo,” and using those fake identities, they were able to flee the country.
See full article at City of Films
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Graham
  • City of Films
Casting News: Ben Affleck Casts Himself; Nicole Kidman Replaces Sofia Vergara; David Strathairn Pals with Lincoln
Ben Affleck is becoming as comfortable behind the camera as he is in front of it. Having decided only to direct 2007's Gone Baby Gone, Affleck signed himself up for acting duties as well on last year's highly lauded, and commercially successful The Town.

With the political thriller Argo, it seemed like Affleck was just in director mode again, first casting Alan Arkin and, later, John Goodman. Now Variety reports Affleck has cast himself in the lead role of CIA exfiltration expert Tony Mendez, the man behind the plan to pose as a fake Hollywood movie in order to rescue six American hostages trapped in the Canadian embassy in Iran. As they say in Hollywood, it's all about who you know.

Chris Terrio (Heights) wrote the screenplay, based on the 2007 Wired article "How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran". Arkin plays a Hollywood producer named Lester Siegel,...
See full article at Reelzchannel.com
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Ryan Gowland
  • Reelzchannel.com
Ben Affleck’s ‘Argo’ Now Starring…Ben Affleck
For all those who love saying Ben Affleck finally found his true calling in directing, it would appear the thespian believes he has found what is merely his second calling. It was thought to be the case and is now a certainty: the actor/writer/director will star in the George Clooney-produced Argo, a film which tells of the CIA’s operation to rescue six U.S. diplomats trapped in their Iranian embassy in 1979 by disguising as a film crew scouting locations in the area. The name of the fictional film the spies were “scouting” for was Argo.

Affleck will play Tony Mendez, the CIA spy who runs the show. And for those rolling their eyes at the news, let us not forget that while the man was proving himself a director, he was also going through a bit of an acting overhaul, proving himself in films ranging from...
See full article at The Film Stage
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Dan Mecca
  • The Film Stage
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck Does It Again!
Ben Affleck
This much is true: there will be no creative turmoil, no clash of visions, no worries of compromising images or integrity, and no high profile blowups between director and lead actor on this film.

(If there is, perhaps call in a health professional).

Ben Affleck, so successful in directing himself in the critically acclaimed Boston heist film, "The Town," has cast himself as the lead in his next directorial effort, the real life CIA caper, "Argo." According to Variety, Affleck will play Tony Mendez, the CIA infiltration expert who used the guise of a Hollywood production to spring loose six Americans who were stuck in Iran during the hostage crisis.

The story, based on a 2007 article in Wired Magazine, titled 'How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran,' about a CIA operation that had the stuck diplomats pretend they were scouting locations for a big budget sci-fi film.
See full article at Huffington Post
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Jordan Zakarin
  • Huffington Post
Bryan Cranston Eyes Argo
Casting on Ben Affleck's Argo continues as Bryan Cranston is named by Variety as likely to join Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin and John Goodman in the true espionage story. The film is about how the CIA teamed with the Canadian government to rescue six U.S. diplomats who'd been taken hostage at the American embassy by a group of Iranians in 1979 by pretending that they were part of a Hollywood film crew scouting a movie called "Argo." Cranston, who next appears in Universal's Larry Crowne , would portray CIA Agent Jack O'Donnell against Affleck as Agent Tony Mendez, the man responsible for mounting the fake production. The screenplay was adapted by Chris Terrio from Joshua Bearman's April 2007 Wired magazine article, "How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to...
See full article at Comingsoon.net
  • 6/28/2011
  • Comingsoon.net
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck to star in and direct next movie Argo
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck has decided to both star in and direct his next movie, political thriller Argo. Working from a script by Chris Terrio that appeared on the 2010 Black List, Affleck will play Tony Mendez in the film. He’s a CIA disguise expert who, in 1979, creates a fake Hollywood production in order to help six American diplomats escape Iran. Argo will be Affleck’s first ‘period’ film, which comes with its own set of challenges. But considering he’s proven how adept he is behind the camera, with Gone Baby Gone and...

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See full article at TotalFilm
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Josh Winning
  • TotalFilm
Ben Affleck set to act and direct CIA capper ‘Argo’ (IrishCentral)
Oscar award winning Ben Affleck has cast himself as the protagonist in his upcoming film “Argo”, which he is directing. Boston born Affleck (38) is to star as Tony Mendez a CIA exfiltration expert who attempts to smuggle six Americans hiding at the Canadian embassy in Iran out of the nation. The group disguise themselves as a Hollywood crew who scout a film called “Argo”. Alan Arkin and John Goodman are in negotiations to star in the Warner Brothers blockbuster. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are joining forces to produce the political drama through Smokehouse Pictures alongside David Klawans. This isn’t Affleck’s first directorial and acting debut. He previously directed himself in “The Town” which grossed more than $150 million worldwide. ____________________ Read more: Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck would support Alec Baldwin if he ran for mayor of New York Ben Affleck superb in Boston Irish drama 'The Town...
See full article at IrishCentral
  • 6/28/2011
  • IrishCentral
Ben Affleck Will Also Star in His Next Directorial Feature, Argo
Director Ben Affleck first started considering Argo as his next project in February. In the months since, Affleck cast Alan Arkin and John Goodman in two supporting roles. Until tonight, Affleck had yet to announce the man to play Tony Mendez, "the CIA exfiltration expert who created a fake Hollywood production to get six Americans who were hiding out at the Canadian ambassador's out of Iran." According to Variety, Affleck will assume the lead role himself. Affleck, Arkin, and Goodman make a formidable trio at the top of the playbill. George Clooney and Grant Heslov are on board as producers under their Smokehouse banner. Chris Terrio (Heights) wrote the script based on a Wired magazine article titled “How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran.” Read more about the truly movie-worthy subject matter after the break. This outline is pulled from our initial report: “The story centers on how,...
See full article at Collider.com
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Brendan Bettinger
  • Collider.com
Ben Affleck Will Now Be Directing Himself + John Goodman in 'Argo'
Back when we heard Ben Affleck was going to direct Argo instead of starring in The Great Gatsby, it was said that the actor-turned-director might also star in the film as well. Since then we haven't heard one way or the other as the only actor to negotiate for a role so far has been Alan Arkin. Now Variety confirms that Affleck will indeed take a role in his own film based on a 2007 Wired article about how the CIA and the Canadian government used a fake sci-fi film to rescue Americans during the Tehran hostage crisis. In addition, another report from the trade has revealed John Goodman has also taken a role in the film. Affleck will be playing Tony Mendez, the CIA exfiltration expert who creates the fake Hollywood production known as Argo while Goodman will play John Chambers, the real-life Oscar-winning Planet of the Apes makeup ...
See full article at firstshowing.net
  • 6/28/2011
  • by Ethan Anderton
  • firstshowing.net
Argo Director Ben Affleck Casts Himself as the Lead
Actor-director Ben Affleck has cast himself as the lead character in Argo, which he is directing for Warner Bros. and Smoke House Productions.

Ben Affleck will play Tony Mendez, a CIA agent who hatched a plan to rescue six American hostages in Iran by creating a fake Hollywood production company. The ploy involved telling the Iranian hostage-takers that the six American diplomats were actually part of a Hollywood film crew, who were scouting locations in Iran for a movie called Argo. The hostages were able to flee the country using those phony identities.

Chris Terrio is adapting the screenplay from a 2007 Wired Magazine article written by Joshuah Bearman. Alan Arkin has already been cast as Hollywood producer Lester Siegel, with John Goodman portraying Oscar-winning special effects artist John Chambers.

George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing Argo through their Smoke House Productions banner, along with David Klawans. No production schedule...
See full article at MovieWeb
  • 6/28/2011
  • by MovieWeb
  • MovieWeb
Ben Affleck
Ben Affleck Casts Himself As Argo Lead
Ben Affleck
Hollywood multi-hyphenate Ben Affleck has cast himself as the lead in Argo, the upcoming political period drama that he is also directing. Variety reports that the Oscar winner will play Tony Mendez, a CIA agent who created a phony Hollywood production in order to rescue six Americans who were being held hostage in Iran in the '70s. He will likely join Alan Arkin and John Goodman, who are both in final negotiations to co-star. Affleck last directed himself in The Town. [Variety]...
See full article at Movieline
  • 6/28/2011
  • Movieline
Ben Affleck to play lead role in Argo
Earlier we reported that John Goodman was close to starring in Ben Affleck's Argo. Variety is now reporting that Affleck has cast himself in the lead role. He will star as "Tony Mendez, the CIA exfiltration expert who created a fake Hollywood production to get six Americans who were hiding out at the Canadian ambassador's out of Iran." Goodman would play Oscar-winning makeup artist John Chambers. Alan Arkin is in final negotiations to play Hollywood producer Lester Siegel.

George Clooney and Grant Heslov are producing along with David Klawans (Nacho Libre). Chris Terrio penned the screenplay and is also helping produce the film. Argo is based on Joshuah Bearman's Wired Magazine article, “How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” about "how the CIA and the Canadian government teamed to rescue six U.S. dipomats who'd been taken hostage at the American embassy...
See full article at GeekTyrant
  • 6/27/2011
  • by Tiberius
  • GeekTyrant
Eastwood Wants More Leo, Spc Dates Contenders, a 'Dark Knight Rises' Rumor and More
Lots of little news bits today, prompting a second serving of Movie Morsels as Ben Affleck has found a lead for his next film, Sony Classics dates a couple of Oscar contenders, Stephenie Meyer's non-"Twilight" tome finds a home, a little 'Dark Knight Rises' rumor for you and then some. Have at it...

A pair of Sony Classics features have been dated as Pedro Almodovar's The Skin I Live In (my review here) will arrive on October 7 and Roman Polanski's Carnage starring Jodie Foster, Kate Winslet, Christoph Waltz and John C. Reilly will hit theaters on November 18. Both films will bow in New York and Los Angeles before expanding nationwide. Carnage is set to debut at the Venice Film Festival in September and I wouldn't be surprised if it also screened in Toronto that same month. [Variety via The Playlist]

Open Road Films has acquired distribution rights to The Host,...
See full article at Rope of Silicon
  • 6/27/2011
  • by Brad Brevet
  • Rope of Silicon
Ben Affleck Casts Lead For 'Argo': Ben Affleck
Filed under: Movie News

Who's Ben Affleck's favorite leading man? Ben Affleck, of course.

The actor-turned-director has just cast himself in the lead of his upcoming CIA hostage flick 'Argo,' just as he did in his bang-up bank robbery movie 'The Town.' (Hey, Clint Eastwood's done it for years and it's worked out pretty well.)

Affleck will star as Tony Mendez, the real-life CIA "ex-filtration expert" who created a fake Hollywood production in 1979 to get six Americans out of Iran.

The film is based on an April 2007 Wired magazine article, 'How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue American from Tehran.' The CIA supplied fake identities for the six hostages and claimed they were a film crew scouting a movie titled 'Argo.'

Continue Reading...
See full article at Moviefone
  • 6/27/2011
  • by Sharon Knolle
  • Moviefone
Ben Affleck
John Goodman Cast in Ben Affleck’s ‘Argo’
Ben Affleck
Argo, Ben Affleck's third film as director, sounds very promising. Based on Joshua Bearman's April 2007 Wired magazine article, "How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue American from Tehran," the film features Ben Affleck and Alan Arkin in key roles as part of a team of intelligence agents who are trying to extricate six men from Tehran in 1979. To do this, the agents posed as a crew preparing to shoot a big-budget sci-fi film called Argo. Now the latest cast member is John Goodman, who'll play one of the other real-life members of the ersatz filmmaking team. Variety [1] says that John Goodman will play John Chambers, who in real life was an Oscar-winning technician (he won for Planet of the Apes) enlisted to help the CIA agents fake the movie development story they used as cover. Ben Affleck will play CIA hostage extraction expert Tony Mendez, who...
See full article at Slash Film
  • 6/27/2011
  • by Russ Fischer
  • Slash Film
Ben Affleck’s Argo Begins Casting With Alan Arkin And Method Acting Intentions
Alan Arkin is the first name in negotiations to join Ben Affleck’s next directorial project, Argo, set in the midst of the Iran hostage crisis that ran from November 1979 to January 1981, Variety report.

Arkin is a bit of an acting veteran, known for Catch-22 back in 1970 to Edward Scissorhands in 1990 and Little Miss Sunshine in 2007, for which he won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Affleck received substantial praise for his directorial debut in 2007 with Gone Baby Gone, which was further cemented last year with The Town, in which he also starred, which made a lot of people’s Top 10 Films of the Year lists, including mine. The expectation is going to be high for his next time in the director’s chair, and Argo sounds like the perfect project for him. Frequent writing and producing collaborators George Clooney and Grant Heslov (The Men Who Stare At Goats,...
See full article at HeyUGuys.co.uk
  • 6/17/2011
  • by Kenji Lloyd
  • HeyUGuys.co.uk
Ben Affleck's Argo cast to live like hostages to prep for film
The cast of Ben Affleck's Argo are going to experience what it is like to be a hostage first-hand, according to Vulture. Affleck is forcing members of his cast to to live together in a single “safe-house” for two weeks prior to the start of production. While there they will get a taste of what is like to be be in a hostage-like situation so that they can "better re-create the claustrophobic and tense conditions" of the 1979 Tehran hostage situation.

Argo is based on Joshuah Bearman's Wired Magazine article, “How the CIA Used a Fake Sci-Fi Flick to Rescue Americans from Tehran” about "how the CIA and the Canadian government teamed to rescue six U.S. dipomats who'd been taken hostage at the American embassy by a group of Iranians in 1979. The CIA's ruse involved the explanation that the six hostages were actually a Hollywood film crew scouting a movie titled "Argo,...
See full article at GeekTyrant
  • 6/15/2011
  • by Tiberius
  • GeekTyrant
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