Ben Affleck: I lied for Argo role

(Cover) - EN Movies - Ben Affleck “made up all kinds of bulls**t” to secure director duties on Argo.

Ben also stars as Tony Mendez in the film, which is based on a true story and set in Iran during the 1979 hostage crisis.

The actor took Middle Eastern Studies in college, but never actually graduated – a fact he decided to withhold in order to work on the picture.

“It was my major in college: Middle Eastern Studies. I’ve always been interested in it and I’ve always followed it,” he told Flicks and Bits.

“So when Argo came along, my passion to be a part of doing it I was like, ‘I’ve got a PhD in Middle Eastern Studies!’ I made up all kinds of bulls**t. But this was really in my zone of interest, very much.”

However, Warner Bros took a chance on the star, allowing Ben to make the film he is so passionate about.

“They showed faith in me and I’m really, really grateful, as I got to make a movie I’m really proud of and that has themes in it that I’m very interested in,” he gushed.

“I’ve worked on movies that I didn’t feel that way, you know? And I know the difference.”

The actor was busy showcasing the film at the Toronto Film Festival over the weekend.