By Chris Petrikin

HOLLYWOOD (Variety) – Ben Affleck, who received plaudits for his role inKevin Smith’s boy-meets-lesbian pic “Chasing Amy”, is near a deal to star in the DreamWorks romantic comedy “Forces of Nature.”

Bronwen Hughes, who made her big-screen directing debut on “Harriet the Spy”,will take the helm of “Forces” from Mark Lawrence’s original screenplay — across between “Planes, Trains and Automobiles” and“Something Wild”.

“Forces” tells the story of a by-the-book Manhattanite (Affleck) who, while traveling to meet his fiance, gets sidetracked by various forces of nature, including a hurricane, plane crash and a free-spirited female traveler with whom he falls in love.

The picture is expected to begin lensing in the spring on the East Coast.

After roles in “School Ties”, “Dazed and Confused” and “Mallrats”, Affleckhas become one of town’s hottest young talents.

This year he will appear in four films, including his high-profile role in “Chasing Amy,” which he followed with “Going All the Way”.

Next up will be Miramax’s“Good Will Hunting”, which he co-wrote with the film’s star Matt Damon; and Dimension Films’ “Phantoms”, co-starring Peter O’Tooleand Rose McGowan.

He also recently was cast in Touchstone’s “Armageddon” with Bruce Willis, and he inked a deal to pen and star in “Balling the Jack” for New Line Cinema.

Reuters/Variety