Ben Affleck reflects on the differences between his and Matt Damon‘s acting careers. Growing up together in the Boston area, the now A-list actors became creative partners at a young age. In 1989, the duo would enter the film world together as extras in Field of Dreams. After a series of other roles throughout the 1990s, Affleck and Damon would go on to make their breakout film, Good Will Hunting. Written by and starring the Mᴀssachusetts natives, the movie would go on to win the pair their first Oscars for the film’s original screenplay.

Speaking with GQ, Affleck addresses his and Damon’s different career paths. Affleck notes that Damon “learned and knew earlier than [he] did to really key in on the director as the fundamental basis on which he’s going to make a decision whether to do a movie or not.” In Affleck’s career, however, he has turned his attention more heavily to directing but will “act in things that [he] just really love[s].” He also cites some directors for whom he would be willing to take any role, including Martin Scorsese, Stephen Spielberg, and Christopher Nolan. Check out the full quote from Affleck below:

Matt Damon, whom you wrote Good Will Hunting with, is an interesting counterexample to you in the sense that he has rarely seemed to want to do anything but act.

As much as I want to be an actor, I find it the most satisfying directing movies. Now, I thought you were going to compare our acting careers, to which I would’ve said, well, Matt learned and knew earlier than I did to really key in on the director as the fundamental basis on which he’s going to make a decision whether to do a movie or not, which was a very wise choice. And also he has certainly had opportunities to do movies that like—it’s not like I was saying, “No, Scorsese, no, Spielberg, I’m not going to be in your movie.” We’re in situations of our opportunities, and we’re subject to that.

What pulls you back to acting at this point?

I really feel like I started liking my work the most when I arrived at a point of, I could kind of take it or leave it. Where directing became a central focus, and I just thought, well, I’m going to act in things that I just really love.

[…]

When we were talking about Matt the other day, you made, I think it was mostly a joke in pᴀssing, but you were like, “If Scorsese or Spielberg had called, I would’ve taken those calls.”

I would’ve taken Saving Private Ryan. If Martin Scorsese called me and told me to play a waiter, I would take it. Steven Spielberg is one of the great filmmaking architects to ever live. I feel that way about Chris Nolan. I may go visit Matt on the set just to watch Nolan direct. I’m not even kidding at all.

What This Means For Affleck & Damon’s Careers

Damon Has Worked With A Wide Array Of Directors

The most important element of what Affleck is saying is that he is going in a far more behind-the-scenes direction than Damon overall. This does not mean that the A-lister is not acting, as he is starring in The Accountant 2 this year. Looking at his recent and upcoming slate, however, Affleck is living out the directorial focus that he purports to have. He was heavily involved in his film Air in 2023, and has two upcoming directorial projects with Animals and Witness for the Prosecution.

Damon’s acting-focused work has, in turn, allowed the actor to work with some of the notable directors that Affleck might envy. About to play the lead in The Odyssey, Damon has thrice been involved in Nolan’s films, playing supporting roles in Interstellar and Oppenheimer. Damon has also worked with greats like Ethan Coen and Steven Soderbergh. It is Damon’s acting-focused career that has allowed him to work with a wider array of directors than Affleck.

Our Take On Ben Affleck And Matt Damon’s Divergent Careers

It Makes Any Time They Work Together More Special

The fact that these two actors’ careers are so different now makes the lightning in a bottle effect of Good Will Hunting all the more special. While Damon and Affleck have acted together a number of times since their 1997 breakout hit, they have only co-written one other screenplay, for The Last Duel. This could, of course, change in the future, but their separate paths make any time they do work together all the more special.

Source: GQ

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  Ben Affleck

  Discover the latest news and filmography for Ben Affleck, known for Good Will Hunting and Argo.

  Birthdate

  
  August 15, 1972
  

  Birthplace

  Berkeley, California, USA

  Notable Projects

  Gone Girl, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Justice League

  Professions

  Actor, Director, Producer, Screenwriter

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  Matt Damon

  Discover the latest news and filmography for Matt Damon, known for Good Will Hunting and The Martian.

  Birthdate

  
  October 8, 1970
  

  Birthplace

  Cambridge, Mᴀssachusetts, USA

  Notable Projects

  The Martian, The Bourne Idenтιтy

  Professions

  Actor, Film Producer, Screenwriter