(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Ben Affleck had to call one of the stars of The Town five times to convince him to appear in the movie.

Ben directed and co-wrote the new film, and also appears in it. The Town is the gritty story of an FBI agent on the trail of a gang of bank robbers.

The Hollywood star was convinced British actor Pete Postlethwaite was perfect for the movie, but had a hard time convincing him he was right. Pete is famed for his roles in films such as The Usual Suspects, Alien 3 and Brassed Off, and Ben decided to keep pestering him until he agreed.

I had to call Pete five times, as he kept turning me down - I had to accommodate him because I knew how great he was, Ben explained at a screening of the movie in London.

Ben recently admitted he is always concerned the things he works on wont be successes. The Town has received strong reviews and topped the US box office over the weekend, which Ben finds amazing.

I'm shocked and pleased. It is a modest movie, it's R-rated but obviously people want to see it, he said.

The movie also stars Rebecca Hall, Jeremy Renner, Jon Hamm and Blake Lively.

Before shooting began, Ben spent a lot of time with criminals as he wanted the film to be believable. He didnt want to work on the project unless he fully understood the world it was set in.

I felt I couldnt do anything that I didnt think felt real. I could only direct it if I understood it on a gut level, he has said. (C) Cover Media