The hosts recount that the project began with Clooney's company winning the bidding war for a 2007 Wired article, and that Clooney planned to write, direct and play Tony Mendez before Affleck got involved.
The Mendez role would have seemed perfect for Clooney.
The hosts found no casting what-ifs beyond the Clooney history.

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 00:28:48Read transcript

The hosts read that Ebert gave Argo four stars, calling it the real movie about the fake movie, both spellbinding and surprisingly funny.
He chose it as the best film of the year, which the hosts note was his last such pick because he died in 2013.

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:04:53Read transcript

Damon, Casey Affleck and Cole Houser could all have been among the Argo Six regardless of resemblance: Casey Affleck in Denham's spot, Houser with a goofy mustache, and Damon while keeping Scoot McNary.
A sarcastic reply asks why not add Walberg and DiCaprio and the whole Departing cast.
The idea was about the Good Will Hunting crew; at minimum Casey Affleck should have been slid in as one of the six. — Bill Simmons
Asked "are you with me on that recasting couch," the answer is yes, it is very fun.

Studio Six scripts; CIA involvement; Iranian bootlegs; Carter's short delay; invented chase; actors in character; Jack Kirby; Sunset Gower offices

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:04Read transcript

The hosts cite Mendez saying the fake Studio Six was so convincing that 26 scripts arrived after it folded, including one from Steven Spielberg.
The hosts cite a 2016 Vice report, based on Freedom of Information Act research, that the CIA was involved in the production of Argo and Zero Dark 30.
The hosts report that several hundred thousand bootleg copies circulated in Iran, watched out of hate, curiosity and quiet protest.
The hosts report that Carter only delayed authorization by 30 minutes, well before Mendez left for Europe, and that the chase sequence never happened.
The hosts report that Affleck had the six actors dress and hang out in character for a week to build chemistry.
The hosts note that Jack Kirby, who made the storyboards, was a comics pioneer.
The hosts cite the original Wired article placing the Studio Six offices at Sunset Gower, in Michael Douglas's vacated China Syndrome offices.

Mendez's height; Swissair chase questions; underdeveloped housekeeper; Nightline underused; missing 1979 All-Star Game

In the discussion (6)

Approx. transcript time · 01:13:06Read transcript

The hosts say the real Mendez was 5'7" and not a supermodel, while a 6'4" handsome Affleck would have been a red flag in Iran.
The Swissair pilot should have noticed the cars, and the plane could have been radioed or shot at; the counter is that Iran did not want an international incident.
The housekeeper subplot feels tacked on: she needed a scene showing her connection to the six to explain covering for them, though the film favors forward momentum.
A pitch to handle the exfil like the unseen Lufthansa heist in Goodfellas is declined in favor of the existing inaccurate version.
Nightline should have been on in the background more often.
The 79 baseball all-star game and Dave Parker's throw from right field should have been worked in.

Clooney, Casey Affleck or Damon as Mendez; a 2021 Mendez casting; which of the six you would be; learning a cover identity in 30 hours

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:18:24Read transcript

The movie is not better with George Clooney as Mendez; Affleck is really good.
Casey Affleck did not seem old enough in 2012.
Damon as Mendez is also a no.
A 2021 version would likely cast Mendez according to his ethnic background.
Which of the six would you be: Scoot questioning everything and smoking, Tate Donovan with too much Zeppelin and scotch, or Cleo Duval?
One answer would demand to know why Mendez used a fake name and ask about his past missions, likened to a David Kahn joke; the other would ask him to share more about himself.
Learning a new identity would be crammed the night before, with jokes about the all-star game and When the Levee Breaks on repeat.