Ben Affleck Drops Out of Focus, Testifies Before Congress Over Congo Crisis

Oscar-winning actor left the film due to an overwhelming number of scheduling conflicts

By Brandi Fowler Dec 19, 2012 8:45 PMTags
Ben Affleck Michael Buckner/Getty Images

Just a couple of weeks after Kristen Stewart signed on to play his costar, Ben Affleck has fallen out of Focus.

The Argo star was forced to bow out of his role in the sexy comedy flick due to scheduling conflicts, E! News has confirmed. 

Affleck has been writing, directing, producing and starring in Live by Night, has The Stand and the Whitey Bulger project in development, and has been doing numerous promotional appearances for Argo, according to Variety.

Adding another project to the mix, which is scheduled to start shooting in April, just wasn't possible.

On top of all his other commitments, Affleck headed to Washington, D.C., today to testify before the House Armed Services Committee to discuss the evolving security situation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The topic is of considerable importance for the Oscar winner, who founded the Eastern Congo Initiative, which is centered around relief efforts in the country, providing public and private funding to "support the communities and citizens of the eastern Congo, providing local organizations and leaders with the necessary resources to heal and sustain their communities."