Ben Affleck: casts real criminals in 'The Town!'

It's a dirty job, but somebody's got to do it. I mean, a genuine somebody!

Righty. Ben Affleck sure needs to play his cards right for his directorial masterpiece about a big bank heist, in 'The Town.'

Burdened with the mammoth task of having to co-write, direct and star in the film, Affleck chose a rather unique approach to add more depth and reality to the story, like casting real-life criminals. These fellas on parole, buddy?

Reveals Jeremy Renner, who co-stars with the Daredevil star in the flick, "Pretty much everyone on the set was an ex-con of some sort. And there were probably a couple of guys who were still robbing banks." Yup, they're going to come in handy someday, Ben.

Affleck's move was also essential in avoiding overused tactics of the said genre, as seen in countless films. These authentic lawbreakers are equipped with first-hand knowledge on how to do the job, and how to do it right. Providing hard facts to the said fiction is a plus.

This isn't the actor's first time to call the shots behind the camera. His directorial debut came in 2007, in the critically acclaimed, Gone Baby Gone. However, this time proves a bigger challenge, with Affleck directing himself and being careful as not to hog the limelight.

"I was afraid I couldn't do it-that it wouldn't work," says the star.

You'll pull this off with your eyes closed, dude. Just remember that you compensate your gangstas well!