Blockbuster.co.uk's Marshall Julius checks in on burgeoning star Casey Affleck.

"I honestly believe I'm destined for great things, Mr. James. I've got qualities that don't come shining through right at the outset, but give me a chance and I'll get the job done."
- Casey Affleck as Robert Ford in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.

The past year has treated celebrity sibling Casey Affleck rather well. Talented, creative and industrious, though he looks like a scruffy, shaven ferret, his performances in brother Ben's directorial debut Gone Baby Gone, and in Chopper director Andrew Dominik's extensively titled The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, have improved Casey's cache to the extent that I can imagine one day describing Ben as his brother, rather than the other way around.

Certainly Casey's doing better for himself on the thespian front, what with his recent Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor, for the Bob Ford movie. Though he lost out to No Country For Old Men's Javier Bardem, it was an honour, as they say, just to be nominated. And it helped shine a light on a rising star who genuinely deserves the attention, whether he wants it or not.

"I don't think journalists have much of an impression of me," says the very private Affleck. "I haven't really done all that many interviews, partly by choice, and partly because no one's been all that interested."

Maybe once that was true, but no longer, insists producer Jules Daly. "Casey seemed to find Robert Ford somewhere in his soul and I believe it shows in his immaculate performance."

Producer Dede Gardner was equally impressed with the young actor, recalling the impression he made on director Dominik during his initial reading. "Andrew really responded to him, in particular the way Casey conveyed the depth of Ford's defeat and sadness. But there's a smart-aleck quality to Ford in the beginning that Casey also hits. The character is a blend of confidence and bravado with insecurity and innocence. It's not an easy balance and not an easy part to cast."

A thoughtful, Western-set drama documenting the fall of legendary outlaw Jesse James (Brad Pitt) at the hands of Robert Ford (Affleck), a man who once considered himself James's biggest fan, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford is now available to add to your list.

"I have a lot of affection for Robert Ford," says Affleck. "I don't think he was a coward at all. I can't remember seeing a better arc or a character that approaches the kind of messy complications of human life more than Robert Ford," he continues. "He goes from being a star struck kid who idolizes the Jesse James from dime novels to actually meeting him, robbing a train with him and forming a friendship with him. Then that relationship becomes convoluted and, ultimately, he has to kill him. It's a rich role and I was both thrilled and intimidated by the prospect of playing it. I had seen Andrew's film, Chopper, ten times and was a big fan. I would have played any part he offered, but luckily he asked me to play the part I wanted most."

At the core of Affleck's interpretation was his effort "to think like Robert Ford. Even though there isn't a lot written about him, there is a lot written about Jesse James and what was most important to Robert Ford was Jesse James," he explains. "To get into his head, I had to learn everything I could about Jesse, all the accounts and the novels Ford grew up on that fuelled his fantasy life. Once I was mindful of that level of devotion, it influenced everything Ford said and did on screen."

Caleb Casey Affleck was born on August 12, 1975, in Falmouth, Massachusetts, USA. Studying physics at university, he nevertheless followed his famous sibling into the movie business, and after appearing in Gus Van Sant's To Die For (1995), acted alongside Ben in Chasing Amy (1997), Good Will Hunting (1997) and 200 Cigarettes (1999), and later on, appearing opposite Ben's best mate Matt Damon in the Ocean's trilogy. On stage, Affleck appeared in the West End debut of Kenneth Lonergan's award-winning play This is Our Youth, in the role of Warren, alongside Matt Damon and Summer Phoenix, kid sister of River, Joaquin, Rain and Liberty. A couple for six years before they married in 2006, Casey and Summer have a couple of kids together, lead a quiet, scandal-free existence, and live a healthy, right on vegan lifestyle.

"My family would be supportive if I said I wanted to be a Martian, wear only banana skins, make love to ashtrays and eat tree bark," says Casey of his veganism. "My mom has a good way of engaging me in a conversation about the choices I make, listening, being objective and open-minded, and respecting those choices so long as they don't put me in danger. For a while, every meal was the third degree, but when she couldn't refute any of the thousands of good reasons - my health, simple compassion, the health of the planet, etc., etc. - for being a vegan, she conceded and now is very conscious of what food she makes when I am around - and, I believe, when I am not around. She is lovely.

"My father never blinked. He is for the most part unflappable. In a good way. Live and let live - unless you are being an asshole. He will privately mock, ridicule, judge, etc. But, hey, who's gonna cast the first stone? For people who have been through it, made changes, had curve balls thrown at them, it is easier to digest change and digest change in other people. Change only scares the small-minded. The small-minded and me. No, I'm only kidding. It only scares me- - I mean, the small-minded. I think if I gave my dad a five-minute rundown on the advantages of veganism, I could convert him without too much trouble. I'll do it next time I see him. Maybe. I'm not much into the converting business, though."

Back to the movie business then, where Casey is currently hard at work writing and producing a new animated family film called Aardvark Art's Ark, the story of a group of animals who set sail on Noah's ark and find wild adventures when the waters get dangerous. An accomplished screenwriter, Casey previously co-wrote the screenplay, with co-star Matt Damon and director Gus Van Sant, of hiking drama Gerry (2000). As for his next on-screen acting gig, expect to see him soon in director Steve Buscemi's comedy drama Lonesome Jim. Beyond that, right now Casey appears to be weighing his options, eating his veggies, and trying to get to grips with being almost as famous as his big brother. Maybe one day, he might even win an Oscar of his own.