BEN AFFLECK - AFFLECK AND PHOENIX EXPECTING A BOY

BEN AFFLECK's younger brother CASEY and his fiancee SUMMER PHOENIX have learned they are expecting a baby boy.

Casey, 28, who recently proposed to 25-year-old Phoenix - younger sister of late actor RIVER PHOENIX - is preparing to become a first-time father in May (04).

He says, "I'm very excited. I have someone to punish now!

"I really hope I'm going to be a good dad. But you know, if it gets boring, I'm out of there."

The news will add extra joy to the Affleck family, as GOOD WILL HUNTING star Ben's engagement to fiancee JENNIFER LOPEZ was called off on Tuesday (20JAN04).