Ben Affleck's Afraid His Career Might Be 'Gone, Baby, Gone'
Filed under: Drama, Celebrities and Controversy, Fandom, DIY/Filmmaking, Newsstand
In an interview with Details Magazine, Ben Affleck comes off as a guy who's on his last set of legs. His last starring role was in the little-seen Hollywoodland, and before that he suffered through back-to-back bombs: Man About Town and Surviving Christmas. Now he's laying it all on the line with his first film behind the camera; his directorial debut, Gone, Baby, Gone. And if that movie doesn't do well, Ben says, "It's pretty simple. If people don't go see it -- I'm f**ked." Oh wait, he continues: "I feel like (Gone Baby Gone) is the linchpin for my life. My career. I have a lot riding on it. I want [the film] to work. Badly. I mean, a shitty movie comes out on 2,800 screens? I've been there and it's embarrassing."
So where does Ben think he went wrong? Well, part of it is due to his previous relationship with Jennifer Lopez. Ben admits, "It was probably bad for my career. What happens is this sort of bleed-over from the tabloids across your movie work. You go to a movie, you only go once. But the tabloids and Internet are everywhere." You're right Ben -- we are everywhere. But things are still looking pretty good for The Affleck; as of right now, his new movie is getting lots of buzz -- some are saying his brother Casey gives a terrific lead performance, and with help from The Assassination of Jesse James, we could be watching a new Affleck rise up to A-list status real soon. As far as Ben goes, we don't know what will happen to the guy after this film. Personally, I think he needs to re-team with Matt Damon on something, anything, but we'll see. Ben does admit that he might have to say goodbye to one thing he loves: his home in Los Angeles. "I'd be surprised if I'm still living here in a couple of years. Professionally it would be difficult. But that's not as important as that other thing."
Ben shot one of Moviefone's Unscripted pieces over the weekend alongside his brother Casey, and so I'm curious to see how he looks, and how he sounds. I'm worried about the guy. How about you?
[via SlashFilm]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-02-2007 @ 11:48AM
Tidmore said...
I for one hope Ben's career lasts for several more decades, either as an actor or a Director. Personally I've always thought the Ham he brings to movies was a blast to watch, even when the movies were insufferable. But I've been excited about Gone, Baby, Gone for a while now and can't wait to see what he does behind the camera.
As for Casey, I think he's proven himself in the past in some fine films, people just didn't see many of them. Hopefully these films will cement his place on the A list.
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10-02-2007 @ 11:52AM
YouFaceTheTick said...
Got nothing against the guy. I think Damon's made a giant load of crappy movies lately - the last two bourne films, syriana, the departed. Pretty much unwatchable dreck. Hollywoodland, while plodding, was a bit more interesting than anything Damon or Affleck's done in some time.
I'll see his little flick. But then again, I see everything...
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10-02-2007 @ 12:10PM
actorpull said...
I'll be seeing the flick even if it's bad (I really doubt it will be) just to support the guy. He's always seemed, to me, to be a smart, affable, well-meaning guy, and it's really tough to imagine a guy like that having the opposite always assumed about him.
Sure, his performances occasionally leave something to be desired, but others are borderline excellent.
I think he'll have a budding career as a director after this film comes out to raves, and I think that's what he should be doing. He seems to be well informed and passionate about film.
But if you're married to Jennifer Garner and have a beautiful child together, I can only have so much sympathy for you - his life can't be all woe and misery.
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10-02-2007 @ 1:35PM
Fahad said...
The Moviefone link is for the The Kingdom.
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10-02-2007 @ 3:05PM
Patrick Walsh said...
Saw 'Gone Baby Gone' last night. Affleck's got nothing to worry about, it was really excellent. Definite Oscar contender.
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10-02-2007 @ 3:35PM
Erik Davis said...
Yes, they shot the Unscripted this weekend but it won't be up for a little bit. In the meantime, check out what they did for The Kingdom by following the link provided.
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10-02-2007 @ 6:21PM
Chris said...
The J-Lo thing hurt him, but so did his movie choices at the time. The celebrity catapaulted him from movies like Good Will Hunting and the Kevin Smith stuff to Paycheck, Daredevil, Gigli, etc.. He was actually quite good in Jersey Girl. Hollywoodland was head-and-shoulders above The Black Dahlia (similar time period and theme), and Affleck did a great job.
He just needs to take himself less seriously again, and realize he plays great jokers and jerks. When he goes off on a tirade in a movie, you genuinely dislike the guy. Just look at his SNL after the J-Lo breakup, his opening monologue was hilarious and completely self-mocking.
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10-02-2007 @ 5:50PM
Lisa said...
The worst thing he could do is team up with Damon. As it is everyone thinks he (damon) had more to do with writing GWH than Ben but I believe the opposite is true. At least, until Matt proves me wrong by writing something by himself that is better than Gerry.
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