BEIJING, Feb. 22 -- Oscar-winning U.S. movie star Ben Affleck is reportedly set to direct his first major Hollywood movie, a crime drama that will costar his younger brother, Casey.

    ¡°I am a first-time director given an opportunity to pursue an artistic ambition I would not likely have the chance to elsewhere,¡± Ben Affleck told Daily Variety.

    ¡°The budget is extremely tight, I am regularly abused and I expect to be fired sometime before we shoot,¡± he said.

    Ben Affleck, 33, adapted the screenplay of the film, ¡°Gone Baby Gone,¡± from a novel by Dennis Lehane, who wrote the book ¡°Mystic River¡± that was filmed by Clint Eastwood, Daily Variety said.

    Actor Casey Affleck, 30, and Michelle Monaghan have signed on to star as private investigators searching for a kidnapped  4-year-old girl in the Miramax film that will begin filming in the Afflecks¡¯ native Boston later this year.

    Casey Affleck appeared in the film for which his brother won a best screenplay Oscar, ¡°Good Will Hunting,¡± as well as in the hit movies ¡°Ocean's Eleven¡± and ¡°Ocean's Twelve.¡±

    (Source: Shenzhen Daily/Agencies)