Ben Affleck is currently attached to direct a feature adaptation of the book “The Big Goodbye: Chinatown and the Last Years of Hollywood”, an in-depth look at the making of the Polanski film noir classic. Appropriately, the film is set up through Paramount, where Robert Evans the studio head at the time became a huge influence in the success of Chinatown.

Affleck will be adapting the book by Sam Wasson as well as directing the film with “Saturday Night Live” creator Lorne Michaels attached to produce alongside Affleck.

Considered to be one of the greatest films ever made, Chinatown showcased career-best work from all creative talents and a career-defining performance by Jack Nicholson, but Wasson’s book makes it clear that the production was often treacherous. Director Roman Polanski clashed with star Faye Dunaway, John Huston filmed a scene while in his cups and Jerry Goldsmith’s haunting score was an extremely late addition to the film. However, these personalities all helped shape one of the seminal works of the incredible decade of 70’s cinema.

Though Affleck has had much success throughout his career, he still has the box-office failure of his last film “Live by Night” looming over him as he heads into another production, but his last effort, starring in the sports drama The Way Back has seen a reassurance that he still is very much a powerhouse talent.