<http://schema.org/articleBody>
"Ben Affleck has revealed that he turned down the chance to direct the Homeland pilot. The Argo director told an audience at the Casting Society of America&amp;#039;s annual Artios Awards that he was interested in helming the Showtime drama&amp;#039;s first episode, but ultimately declined to spend more time with his family.   &amp;quot;I was sure nothing would happen with the show - now I hate the f**king show,&amp;quot; he quipped, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Affleck continued: &amp;quot;I&amp;#039;ve never seen it. I&amp;#039;m going to attach myself to 14 pilots this year.&amp;quot; The 40-year-old&amp;#039;s latest cinematic directorial effort Argo topped the US box office last weekend after grossing $12.35 million (\u00A37.66m). The Homeland pilot - which aired in October 2011 - was eventually directed by Michael Cuesta and was watched by 1.08m viewers. The terrorist thriller - which stars Damian Lewis and Claire Danes - recently hit a new ratings high in the US, attracting an audience of 2.07m on Sunday night (October 28). &amp;gt; Homeland willing to make big story moves, says Showtime boss &amp;gt; Homeland renewed for third season by Showtime Watch Ben Affleck and the stars of Argo discuss the film below:  "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/homeland/news/a434639/ben-affleck-turned-down-chance-to-direct-homeland-pilot/>