The One Film That Made Ben Affleck Rethink His Career

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Ben Affleck started gaining recognition in the early 1990s with roles in popular films like Dazed and Confused and Mallrats. But it was his work on Good Will Hunting that really launched his career, demonstrating he wasn’t just a handsome face but a talented writer and actor. He followed up this success with blockbuster movies like Armageddon and Shakespeare in Love, firmly establishing him as a leading figure in Hollywood.

Ben Affleck’s career hit a rough patch in the early 2000s. Several of his films, including Pearl Harbor, The Sum of All Fears, and Daredevil, were criticized and didn’t perform well with audiences. At the same time, his relationship with Jennifer Lopez drew a lot of unwanted attention from the tabloids, creating a wave of negative publicity that threatened his progress.

2003 marked a low point in his career with the film Gigli, a romantic comedy starring Jennifer Lopez. He played a mobster named Larry Gigli. Despite the star power of both leads, the movie failed spectacularly, earning just $7 million on a $75 million budget. It’s now widely considered one of the biggest box office failures ever.

Ben Affleck bounced back in 2006 with a strong performance as George Reeves in Hollywoodland. This role revitalized his career, and in 2007, he made his impressive directorial debut with Gone Baby Gone. He continued to succeed with films like The Town and the Academy Award-winning Argo, while also delivering memorable performances in Gone Girl and taking on the role of Batman.

You know, looking back, Gigli was actually a really important moment for me. I honestly think if that film hadn’t flopped so spectacularly, I might never have even considered directing. It sounds crazy, but it really pushed me to look for something else. And it’s funny, because I actually learned a ton from the director, Martin Brest. He’s incredibly talented, even though the movie itself didn’t work. In a weird way, the whole experience ended up being a gift – it led me to what I truly love doing professionally.

Ben Affleck hasn’t always been pleased with his early films. He’s openly called his first short film, about a man with a contract at Disney, terrible and awful. It appears years of receiving tough criticism have led him to be very self-critical.

Ben Affleck is currently experiencing a career resurgence, largely thanks to his work with longtime friend Matt Damon. Their new action thriller, The Rip, debuted on Netflix in January and has quickly become a hit. Critics are highlighting the natural and engaging chemistry between the two actors, a result of their long-standing friendship.

Ben Affleck has a lot on his plate, directing a new film called Animals which is expected to come out later this year. He also recently made a popular appearance in a Dunkin’ Super Bowl commercial alongside Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc.

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2026-02-05 16:44