Ben Affleck is a gangster in first trailer for his next directorial effort, 'Live by Night'

Image from Entertainment Tonight

By Darian Scalamoni

            It’s been 4 years since Ben Affleck lent his directorial talents to Hollywood and luckily, his newest film Live by Night will be released in early 2017 and we have the first trailer for you right here. This will be Affleck’s fourth feature film he’s directed and his last film, Argo won Best Picture at the 2012 Academy Awards.

            Live by Night is based on the Dennis Lehane novel of the same name and follows Joe Coughlin, son of Boston police captain who works his way up from bootlegger to notorious Florida gangster. Affleck not only directs the film but he also adapted the screenplay and stars in the movie. Oscar-winning cinematographer, Robert Richardson (The Hateful Eight, The Aviator) also serves as the director of photography on the film.

            The trailer is another one in a stretch of recent, great trailers including the ones we’ve recently from Gold and Collateral Beauty. Crime dramas are some of my favorite movies and this one looks similar to other gangster films like Lawless and The Untouchables. This looks to be an Oscar contender, for sure.

            In addition to Affleck, the cast also includes Zoe Saldana, Elle Fanning, Sienna Miller, Brendan Gleeson, Scott Eastwood, Chris Cooper and Chris Messina. Live by Night opens in theaters on January 13^th, 2017. Check out the trailer below!