Ben Affleck on Researching Bank Robbery for 'The Town' Scene

Researching for 'The Town'

• 🎬 Ben Affleck conducted extensive research for the movie 'The Town' by visiting prisons in Massachusetts.
• 💡 He spoke with inmates who had robbed trucks and banks, as well as FBI agents, to understand their methods and mindset.

A Cop's Dilemma

• 🚨 During his research, Affleck heard a story about a bank robbery crew encountering a police officer.
• 👮 The officer, who was on construction duty, saw the masked robbers with automatic weapons but chose to look the other way.
• ⚠️ The robbers were prepared to kill the officer, but his inaction prevented a violent confrontation.

Incorporating the Story into the Film

• ✍️ Affleck found this anecdote compelling and decided to include it in 'The Town'.
• 💬 The scene features the characters, including Renner, jumping out of their getaway vehicle and encountering the officer.
• 🎭 The officer's decision to avoid the confrontation is highlighted as a key moment, directly inspired by the real-life event.

The VFW Wall

• 🖼️ The officer's motivation for looking away was to avoid having his picture on the wall of the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) the next day, implying he didn't want to be responsible for a death.
• 🗣️ This explanation provided a simple yet powerful reason for his actions, which Affleck found significant.