BOSTON (CBS) – The hometown boy, actor-director Ben Affleck, leaves his Boston roots behind in a new fact-based thriller about a secret government mission during the 1979 Iran hostage crisis.

WBZ-TV got a preview and a chance to talk with him Monday about his latest film.

“When I just read it, I was sweating and nervous and I wanted to make that,” he says. That, is Affleck’s new movie, “Argo.”

It tells the story of a now-declassified CIA operation to free six Americans who escaped from the U.S. Embassy as an Iranian mob stormed the gates. They took refuge in the home of the Canadian Ambassador.

Affleck stars as Tony Mendez, the CIA operative who comes up with the rescue plan.

He convinces his superiors to let him create a phony movie company that wants to film part of a science fiction fantasy in Iran.

The idea is that Mendez and the six Americans will pose as the film crew, scouting locations in Tehran, and will be able to fly out.

The fake movie is called “Argo.”

“It seems to have increasing relevance. The idea that’s presented here, of the unintended consequences of revolution, is playing out all throughout the Middle East and the Arab spring,” says Affleck.

Affleck does double duty on the film, directing and starring, no easy task.

“In a way that costs you, but the research you do as a director really helps what you do as a performer. And as a performer you’re kind of in the scene and you can direct them from inside,” he says.

Argo opens  October 12.

Affleck is still planning on reuniting with his old friend Matt Damon for a movie about Whitey Bulger. Affleck will direct and Damon will play Whitey.

To see the Argo trailer: visit www.argothemovie.com