I’m calling it right now: Ben Affleck’s career will eventually mirror Clint Eastwood’s career. I thought The Town (which Affleck wrote, produced, directed and starred in) was perhaps the best movie of 2010.

Principal photography has begun on Warner Bros. Pictures’ and GK Films’ dramatic thriller “Argo,” directed by and starring  Ben Affleck. The film is being produced by George Clooney, Grant Heslov (“Good Night, and Good Luck.”) and Affleck.

Based on true events, “Argo” chronicles the life-or-death covert operation to rescue six Americans, which unfolded behind the scenes of the Iran hostage crisis — the truth of which was unknown by the public for decades.

On November 4, 1979, as the Iranian revolution reaches its boiling point, militants storm the U.S. embassy in Tehran, taking 52 Americans hostage. But, in the midst of the chaos, six Americans manage to slip away and find refuge in the home of the Canadian ambassador. Knowing it is only a matter of time before the six are found out and likely killed, a CIA “exfiltration” specialist named Tony Mendez (Affleck) comes up with a risky plan to get them safely out of the country.

“Argo” also stars Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston and John Goodman. Affleck is directing the film from a screenplay by Chris Terrio. Filming on “Argo” just recentlybegan a few days ago in Los Angeles. Future locations include Washington D.C. and Istanbul.

Affleck passed on a role in the upcoming The Great Gatsby, so he could have the opportunity of working on Argo.

The film is set for release in late 2012.