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Ben Affleck and Jeremy Renner, both familiar faces in the superhero universe with Affleck donning the cape as Batman in the DC Snyderverse, and Renner taking aim as Hawkeye in the “Avengers” films, found themselves teaming up for a different kind of adventure in 2010. This collaboration resulted in the gripping crime thriller “The Town,” which has recently made its way to HBO Max, offering audiences a chance to experience this near-classic heist movie once more.
Warner Bros. Pictures
In “The Town,” Affleck takes on multiple roles as writer, director, and star. He portrays Doug MacRay, the mastermind behind a team of skilled criminals. Their latest bank heist leads them to take Claire, played by Rebecca Hall, hostage. As the dust settles and Claire is released unharmed, MacRay finds himself drawn to her, igniting an improbable romance. The twist? Claire remains blissfully unaware that her new love is part of the gang that once held her captive. Meanwhile, Doug’s partner, Jem, played by Jeremy Renner, grows increasingly uneasy about Doug’s relationship with Claire.
The film garnered significant acclaim, earning Jeremy Renner his second Oscar nomination. While “The Town” didn’t quite achieve legendary status, its availability on HBO Max is poised to introduce this riveting thriller to a fresh audience, potentially elevating its standing in the genre.
It’s not unusual for a director to write the screenplay, but Affleck’s multi-faceted involvement in “The Town” raised eyebrows, even among his cast. With the script co-written by Peter Craig and Aaron Stockard, Affleck’s decision to also star in and direct the film was a bold move, especially considering it was only his second outing as a director following “Gone Baby Gone.” This approach initially gave Renner pause, as he candidly admitted in a 2012 interview with Backstage.
“It was not an easy question to ask somebody, ‘What makes you think you can direct and star in this thing?'” Renner recalled. “But it’s an honest one, right?” Affleck, who openly acknowledged his own apprehensions about the film’s intense action sequences, addressed Renner’s concerns with a candid discussion that put the actor at ease. “He was such an affable guy — and so insanely smart. He made me feel very comfortable, enough to be very frank and honest with him,” Renner shared.
Jeremy Renner doubted Ben Affleck’s ability while making The Town
Warner Bros. Pictures
Ultimately, Renner’s skepticism transformed into enthusiasm. “Heck yeah, I wanted to work with him and swing for the fences, without a doubt,” he declared. The outcome is a film that remains a high point in both Affleck’s and Renner’s careers, and thanks to its streaming availability, audiences can now revisit or discover this engaging thriller on HBO Max.
Talking to Backstage in 2012, Renner wasn’t shy about admitting he questioned Affleck’s ability to pull off the triple feat. “It was not an easy question to ask somebody, ‘What makes you think you can direct and star in this thing?’” Renner said. “But it’s an honest one, right?” Thankfully, Affleck — who admits he was intimidated by two of the film’s biggest action sequences — seemed to understand Renner’s concerns, having a heart-to-heart that eased Renner’s worries. “He was such an affable guy — and so insanely smart. He made me feel very comfortable, enough to be able to be very frank and honest with him,” Renner acknowledged.
In the end, Renner was fully convinced: “Heck yeah, I wanted to work with him and swing for the fences, without a doubt.” The result is a movie that stands as one of the best in each of their respective filmographies — and is now available to watch on HBO Max.
