Editing Ben Affleck (section)

==Career==

===1981–1997: Child acting and ''Good Will Hunting''===
{{Anchor|1984–97: Child actor and ''Good Will Hunting''}}
Affleck acted professionally throughout his childhood but, in his own words, "not in the sense that I had a mom that wanted to take me to Hollywood or a family that wanted to make money from me ... I kind of chanced into something."<ref name="ReferenceA">{{Cite web|last=Riley |first=Jenelle |url=http://www.backstage.com/interview/ben-affleck-knows-his-way-around-the-town/ |title=Ben Affleck Knows His Way Around the 'Town' |work=[[Backstage (magazine)|Backstage]] |date=December 23, 2010 |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223717/http://www.backstage.com/interview/ben-affleck-knows-his-way-around-the-town/ |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> He first appeared, at the age of seven, in an independent film, ''[[The Dark End of the Street (1981 film)|The Dark End of the Street]]'' (1981), directed by a family friend.<ref>{{Cite book |last1= Sherman |first1=Paul |publisher=Black Bars Publishing |url= https://archive.org/details/bigscreenbostonf00paul |title=Big Screen Boston: From Mystery Street to The Departed and Beyond |isbn=978-0977639748 |access-date=April 11, 2017 |date=May 1, 2008 |url-access=registration}}</ref> His biggest success as a child actor was as the star of the [[PBS]] children's series ''[[The Voyage of the Mimi]]'' (1984) and ''[[The Second Voyage of the Mimi]]'' (1988), produced for sixth-grade science classes. Affleck worked "sporadically" on ''Mimi'' from the age of eight to fifteen in both Massachusetts and Mexico.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> As a teenager, he appeared in the [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] [[after school special]] ''Wanted: A Perfect Man'' (1986),<ref>{{Cite news|title=Profiles of Ex-Couple Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez |url= http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/24/cnnitm.00.html |work= CNN.com |access-date=April 12, 2017 |date=January 24, 2004 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305012628/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0401/24/cnnitm.00.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016}}</ref> the television film ''Hands of a Stranger'' (1987),<ref name= "ReferenceA"/> and a 1989 [[Burger King]] commercial.<ref name= "cbsnews1"/>

After high school, Affleck moved briefly to New York in search of acting work.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Later, while studying at Occidental College in Los Angeles, Affleck directed [[I Killed My Lesbian Wife, Hung Her on a Meat Hook, and Now I Have a Three-Picture Deal at Disney|student films]].<ref name="kinja1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-ben-afflecks-directorial-debut-i-killed-my-lesbian-wife-ung-er-on-a-eathook-ow-i-have-a-three-picture-deal-with-disney-short-film-20130218 |last1=Davis |first1=Edward |title=Watch: Ben Affleck's Directorial Debut 'I Killed My Lesbian Wife, Ηung Ηer On A Μeathook & Νow I Have A Three-Picture Deal With Disney' [Short Film] |date=February 18, 2013 |work=[[IndieWire]] |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230519/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/watch-ben-afflecks-directorial-debut-i-killed-my-lesbian-wife-ung-er-on-a-eathook-ow-i-have-a-three-picture-deal-with-disney-short-film-20130218 |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> As an actor, he had a series of "knock-around parts, one to the next".<ref name="ReferenceA"/> He played [[Patrick Duffy]]'s son in the television film ''[[Daddy (1991 film)|Daddy]]'' (1991), made an uncredited appearance as a basketball player in the ''[[Buffy the Vampire Slayer (film)|Buffy the Vampire Slayer]]'' film (1992), and had a supporting role as a prep school student in ''[[School Ties]]'' (1992).<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20471622_20008007_20005834,00.html |title=School Ties, Ben Affleck |date=January 14, 2007 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141008013245/http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0%2C%2C20471622_20008007_20005834%2C00.html |archive-date=October 8, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> He played a high school quarterback in the [[NBC]] television series ''[[Against the Grain (TV series)|Against the Grain]]'' (1993), and a steroid-abusing high school football player in ''[[Lifestories: Families in Crisis|''Body to Die For: The Aaron Henry Story'']]'' (1994). Affleck's most notable role during this period was as a high school bully in [[Richard Linklater]]'s cult classic ''[[Dazed and Confused (film)|Dazed and Confused]]'' (1993).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=September 24, 2013 |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-20th-anniversary-20-craziest-facts-about-the-cult-classic.html |title='Dazed and Confused' 20th Anniversary: 20 Craziest Facts About the Cult Classic |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714161914/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-20th-anniversary-20-craziest-facts-about-the-cult-classic.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> Linklater wanted a likable actor for the villainous role, and, while Affleck was "big and imposing", he was "so smart and full of life ... I just liked him."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stern |first=Marlow |date=September 24, 2013 |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-director-richard-linklater-on-its-20th-anniversary.html |title='Dazed and Confused' Director Richard Linklater on Its 20th Anniversary |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006102349/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/09/24/dazed-and-confused-director-richard-linklater-on-its-20th-anniversary.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.maxim.com/movies/oral-history-dazed-and-confused |title=An Oral History of 'Dazed and Confused' |work=[[Maxim (magazine)|Maxim]] |last1=Spitz |first1=Marc |date=December 27, 2013 |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141224131129/http://www.maxim.com/movies/oral-history-dazed-and-confused |archive-date=December 24, 2014}}</ref> Affleck later said Linklater was instrumental in demystifying the filmmaking process for him.<ref name="kinja1"/>

Affleck's first starring film role was as an aimless art student in the college drama ''[[Glory Daze (film)|Glory Daze]]'' (1995), with Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' remarking that his "affably mopey performance finds just the right balance between obnoxious and sad sack".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holden |first=Stephen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/27/movies/a-major-in-parties-and-a-minor-in-art.html |title=A Major in Parties and a Minor in Art |work=The New York Times |date=September 27, 1996 |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726131824/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/09/27/movies/a-major-in-parties-and-a-minor-in-art.html |archive-date=July 26, 2014}}</ref> He then played a bully in filmmaker [[Kevin Smith]]'s comedy ''[[Mallrats]]'' (1995) and became friends with Smith during the filming. Affleck had begun to worry that he would be relegated to a career of "throwing people into their lockers",<ref name="ReferenceA"/> but Smith wrote him a lead role in the romantic comedy ''[[Chasing Amy]]'' (1997).<ref name="viewaskew1"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/> The film was Affleck's breakthrough.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> [[Janet Maslin]] of ''The New York Times'' praised Affleck's "wonderful ease" playing the role, combining "suave good looks with cool comic timing".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9401E4D9153DF937A35757C0A961958260 |title=Chasing Amy (1997) |work=The New York Times |date=April 4, 1997 |first=Janet |last=Maslin |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006073730/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9401E4D9153DF937A35757C0A961958260 |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Owen Gleiberman of ''Entertainment Weekly'' described it as a "wholesome and quick-witted" performance.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,287334,00.html |title=Movie Review: 'Chasing Amy' (1997) |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 4, 1997 |first=Owen |last=Gleiberman |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006131149/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C287334%2C00.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> When Affleck starred as a recently returned Korean War veteran in the coming-of-age drama ''[[Going All the Way]]'' (1997), Todd McCarthy of ''Variety'' found him "excellent",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/going-all-the-way-1117432751/ |title=Review: Going All the Way |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=January 30, 1997 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226055251/http://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/going-all-the-way-1117432751/ |archive-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> while Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' noted that his "flair for comic self-doubt made a strong impression."<ref>{{Cite news|first=Janet |last=Maslin |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/27/movies/independent-films-have-their-sundance-night.html |title=Independent Films Have Their Sundance Night |work=The New York Times |date=January 27, 1997 |access-date=August 27, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006175841/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/01/27/movies/independent-films-have-their-sundance-night.html |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:CampDavid.jpg|thumb|left|Affleck and Matt Damon attend a [[Camp David]] screening of ''Good Will Hunting'' with President [[Bill Clinton]] in January 1998.|alt= Bill Clinton, Ben Affleck, and Matt Damon sit on two sofas while looking towards a television screen]]
The success of 1997's ''[[Good Will Hunting]]'', which Affleck co-wrote and acted in, marked a turning point in his career. The screenplay originated in 1992 when Damon wrote a 40-page script for a playwriting class at Harvard University.<ref name="bostonmag-history">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2013/01/good-will-hunting-oral-history/ |title=Good Will Hunting: An Oral History |first=Janelle |last=Nanos |work=Boston Magazine |date=January 2013 |access-date=June 5, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715034905/http://www.bostonmagazine.com/2013/01/good-will-hunting-oral-history/ |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> He asked Affleck to act out the scenes with him in front of the class and, when Damon later moved into Affleck's Los Angeles apartment, they began working on the script in earnest.<ref name="interviewmagazine1"/> The film, which they wrote mainly during improvisation sessions, was set partly in their hometown of Cambridge and drew from their own experiences.<ref name="bostonmag-history" /><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Shone|first1=Tom|title=The Double Life of Matt Damon|url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/the-double-life-of-matt-damon-9mspqql8h8j|work=[[The Times]]|access-date=August 16, 2017|date=February 26, 2011|language=en|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005071754/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-double-life-of-matt-damon-9mspqql8h8j|url-status=live}}</ref> The screenplay was borne of their desire to create "an acting reel" for themselves.<ref name=keegan>{{cite web |last1=Keegan |first1=Rebecca |title=Ben Affleck on 'Air,' New CEO Gig and Those Memes: "I Am Who I Am" |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ben-affleck-air-production-company-grammys-memes-justice-league-1235353301/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 16, 2023 |date=March 16, 2023 |archive-date=March 16, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316152828/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ben-affleck-air-production-company-grammys-memes-justice-league-1235353301/ |url-status=live }}</ref> They sold the screenplay to [[Castle Rock Entertainment|Castle Rock]] in 1994 when Affleck was 22 years old. During the development process, they received notes from industry figures, including [[Rob Reiner]] and [[William Goldman]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4720603/Good-Will-Hunting-the-truth.html |last=Goldman |first=William |title=Good Will Hunting: the Truth |work=The Telegraph |date=May 2, 2000 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924151342/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/4720603/Good-Will-Hunting-the-truth.html |archive-date=September 24, 2015}}</ref> Following a lengthy dispute with Castle Rock about a suitable director, Affleck and Damon persuaded [[Miramax]] to purchase the screenplay.<ref name="highbeam1"/> The two friends moved back to Boston for a year before the film finally went into production, directed by [[Gus Van Sant]], and co-starring Damon, Affleck, [[Minnie Driver]], and [[Robin Williams]].<ref name="bostonmag-history" />

On its release, Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' praised the "smart and touching screenplay",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C00EFD7123DF936A35751C1A961958260 |title=Good Will Hunting: Logarithms and Biorhythms Test a Young Janitor |first=Janet |last=Maslin |work=The New York Times |date=December 5, 1997 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141214110201/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9C00EFD7123DF936A35751C1A961958260 |archive-date=December 14, 2014}}</ref> while Emanuel Levy of ''Variety'' found it "funny, nonchalant, moving and angry".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/good-will-hunting-3-1200452429/ |title=Review: Good Will Hunting |first=Emanuel |last=Levy |work=Variety |date=November 30, 1997 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226120724/http://variety.com/1997/film/reviews/good-will-hunting-3-1200452429/ |archive-date=December 26, 2014 }}</ref> Jay Carr of ''The Boston Globe'' wrote that Affleck brought "a beautifully nuanced tenderness" to his role as the working-class friend of Damon's mathematical prodigy character.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Carr |first1=Jay |title='Will' Has its Way |url=http://cache.boston.com/globe/living/moviereviews/carr_reviews/Good_Will_Hunting.htm |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |access-date=April 12, 2017 |date=December 25, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410143401/http://cache.boston.com/globe/living/moviereviews/carr_reviews/Good_Will_Hunting.htm |archive-date=April 10, 2016}}</ref> Affleck and Damon eventually won the [[Academy Award for Writing Original Screenplay|Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay]].<ref name="kinja1" /> Affleck has described this period of his life as "dreamlike": "It was like one of those scenes in an old movie when a newspaper comes spinning out of the black on to the screen. You know, '$100 Million Box Office! Awards!{{'"}}<ref name=Parade /> He remains the youngest writer (at age 25) ever to win an Oscar for screenwriting.<ref name="bostonmag-history" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/awards-and-festivals/film-awards/what-makes-a-great-script-reviewing-the-nominees-for-best-original-screenplay/article28927744/|title=What Makes a Great Script? The Oscar Nominees for Best Original Screenplay|last=Malla|first=Pasha|date=February 26, 2016|work=[[The Globe and Mail]]|access-date=July 22, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160227114743/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/awards-and-festivals/film-awards/what-makes-a-great-script-reviewing-the-nominees-for-best-original-screenplay/article28927744/|archive-date=February 27, 2016}}</ref>

===1998–2002: Leading man status===
[[File:Bay Affleck Tyler at JFK Space Center Armageddon premiere (cropped).jpg|alt=Ben Affleck, Michael Bay and Liv Tyler posing on the red carpet|thumb|Affleck with [[Michael Bay]] and [[Liv Tyler]] at the ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'' premiere in June 1998]]
''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'', released in 1998, established Affleck as a viable leading man for Hollywood studio films. ''Good Will Hunting'' had not yet been released during the casting process and, after Affleck's [[screen test]], director [[Michael Bay]] dismissed him as "a geek". Producer [[Jerry Bruckheimer]] convinced Bay that Affleck would be a star,<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/> but he was required to lose weight, become tanned, and get his teeth capped before filming began.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/story/michael-bay-oral-history |title=An Oral History of Transformers Director Michael Bay |first=Sean |last=Fennessey |date=June 27, 2011 |work=[[GQ]] |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214225007/http://www.gq.com/story/michael-bay-oral-history |archive-date=February 14, 2017}}</ref> The film, where he starred opposite [[Bruce Willis]] as a blue-collar driller tasked by [[NASA]] with stopping an asteroid from colliding with Earth, was a box office success.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=armageddon.htm |title=Armageddon (1998) – Box Office Mojo |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420060608/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=armageddon.htm |archive-date=April 20, 2017}}</ref> Daphne Merkin of ''The New Yorker'' remarked: "Affleck demonstrates a sexy [[Paul Newman]]ish charm and is clearly bound for stardom."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Merkin|first1=Daphne|title=The Film File: Armageddon|url=https://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/armageddon_bay|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|access-date=April 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080105084505/http://www.newyorker.com/arts/reviews/film/armageddon_bay|archive-date=January 5, 2008|date=July 20, 1998}}</ref>

Later in 1998, Affleck had a supporting role as an arrogant English actor in the period romantic comedy ''[[Shakespeare in Love]]'', starring his then-girlfriend [[Gwyneth Paltrow]]. Lael Loewenstein of ''Variety'' remarked that Affleck "does some of his very best work, suggesting that comedy may be his true calling,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/shakespeare-in-love-1200456294/ |title=Review: 'Shakespeare in Love' |work=Variety |date=December 6, 1998 |first=Lael |last=Loewenstein |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140907173156/http://variety.com/1998/film/reviews/shakespeare-in-love-1200456294/ |archive-date=September 7, 2014 }}</ref> while Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' found him "very funny".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B05E4D9103AF932A25751C1A96E958260 |title=Shakespeare in Love (1998) |work=The New York Times |date=December 11, 1998 |first=Janet |last=Maslin |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015035733/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B05E4D9103AF932A25751C1A96E958260 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> ''Shakespeare in Love'' won seven [[Academy Awards]], including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]], while the cast won the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast]]. Affleck then appeared as a small-town sheriff in the supernatural horror film ''[[Phantoms (film)|Phantoms]]''.<ref name="ReferenceA"/> Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' wondered why actors like Affleck and [[Peter O'Toole]] had agreed to appear in the "junky" film: "Affleck's thudding performance suggests he is reading his dialogue for the first time, directly from cue cards."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B06EFD8163BF930A15752C0A96E958260 |title=Phantoms: A Monster Hungry for Attention |work=The New York Times |first=Stephen |last=Holden |date=January 23, 1998 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141223235610/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9B06EFD8163BF930A15752C0A96E958260 |archive-date=December 23, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck and Damon had an on-screen reunion in Kevin Smith's religious satire ''[[Dogma (film)|Dogma]]'', which premiered at the [[1999 Cannes Film Festival]]. Janet Maslin of ''The New York Times'' remarked that the pair, playing fallen angels, "bring great, understandable enthusiasm to Mr. Smith's smart talk and wild imaginings".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E4D81E3EF937A35753C1A96F958260 |title=Dogma: There's Devilment Afoot: 2 Fallen Angels Want Back In |first=Janet |last=Maslin |work=The New York Times |date=October 4, 1999 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006184448/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9507E4D81E3EF937A35753C1A96F958260 |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> Affleck starred opposite [[Sandra Bullock]] in the romantic comedy ''[[Forces of Nature (1999 film)|Forces of Nature]]'' (1999), playing a groom whose attempts to get to his wedding are complicated by his free-spirited traveling companion. [[Joe Leydon]] of ''Variety'' praised "his winning ability to play against his good looks in a self-effacing comic turn".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/forces-of-nature-1200457002/ |title=Review: 'Forces of Nature' |work=Variety |date=March 14, 1999 |first=Joe |last=Leydon |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140904182546/http://variety.com/1999/film/reviews/forces-of-nature-1200457002/ |archive-date=September 4, 2014}}</ref> Affleck then appeared opposite [[Courtney Love]] in the little-seen ensemble comedy ''[[200 Cigarettes]]'' (1999).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/200_cigarettes/reviews/ |title=200 Cigarettes |work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]] |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303205157/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/200_cigarettes/reviews/ |archive-date=March 3, 2015}}</ref>

Interested in a directorial career, Affleck shadowed [[John Frankenheimer]] throughout pre-production of the action thriller ''[[Reindeer Games]]'' (2000).<ref name="Los Angeles Times"/><ref name="ReferenceB">{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2010/09/09/ben-affleck-calls-shots/ |title=Ben Affleck Calls The Shots |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=September 9, 2010 |first=Chris |last=Nashawaty |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012211505/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C20419881%2C00.html |archive-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> Frankenheimer, directing his last feature film, described Affleck as having "a very winning, likable quality about him. I've been doing this for a long time and he's really one of the nicest."<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Peretz|first1=Evgenia|page=262|title=Let's Try It Ben's Way|issue=October 1999|work=[[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]}}</ref> He starred opposite [[Charlize Theron]] as a hardened criminal, with Elvis Mitchell of ''The New York Times'' enjoying the unexpected casting choice: "Affleck often suggests one of the [[Kennedy family|Kennedys]] playing [[Clark Kent]] ... He looks as if he has never missed a party or a night's sleep. He's game, though, and his slight dislocation works to the advantage of ''Reindeer Games''."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D00EEDF1E30F936A15751C0A9669C8B63 |title=Reindeer Games: Santa Would Surely Be Useful Right Now |first=Elvis |last=Mitchell |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 2000 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226150511/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D00EEDF1E30F936A15751C0A9669C8B63 |archive-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> He then had a supporting role as a ruthless stockbroker in the crime drama ''[[Boiler Room (film)|Boiler Room]]'' (2000).<ref name="ReferenceB"/> [[A.O. Scott]] of ''The New York Times'' felt Affleck had merely "traced over" [[Alec Baldwin]]'s performance in ''[[Glengarry Glen Ross]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E04E2DD1131F93BA25751C0A9669C8B63 |title=Boiler Room (2000) |work=The New York Times |date=February 18, 2000 |first=A.O. |last=Scott |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015035753/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E04E2DD1131F93BA25751C0A9669C8B63 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> while Peter Rainer of ''New York Magazine'' said he "does a series of riffs on Baldwin's aria, and each one is funnier and crueler than the next".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/reviews/2212/ |title=Perfect Pitch |work=[[New York (magazine)|New York]] |date=February 28, 2000 |first=Peter |last=Rainer |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012193055/http://nymag.com/nymetro/movies/reviews/2212/ |archive-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> He provided the voice of Joseph in the animated ''[[Joseph: King of Dreams]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Leydon |first1=Joe |title=Review: 'Joseph: King of Dreams' |url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/joseph-king-of-dreams-1200465581/ |work=Variety |date=November 6, 2000 |access-date=April 8, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409110808/http://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/joseph-king-of-dreams-1200465581/ |archive-date=April 9, 2017}}</ref> In his last film role of 2000, Affleck starred opposite his girlfriend Paltrow in the romantic drama ''[[Bounce (film)|Bounce]]''. Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' praised the "understated intensity and exquisite detail" of his performance: "His portrait of a young, sarcastically self-defined 'people person' who isn't half as confident as he would like to appear is close to definitive."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9803E0D9153BF934A25752C1A9669C8B63 |title=Bounce (2000) |work=The New York Times |date=November 17, 2000 |first=Stephen |last=Holden |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015035756/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9803E0D9153BF934A25752C1A9669C8B63 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck reunited with director Michael Bay for the critically derided war drama ''[[Pearl Harbor (film)|Pearl Harbor]]'' (2001).<ref name="telegraph.co.uk">{{Cite news|last=Shone |first=Tom |date=November 6, 2012 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9646122/Ben-Affleck-talks-about-his-new-film-Argo.html |title=Ben Affleck Talks About His New Film, Argo |work=The Telegraph |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170201070115/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9646122/Ben-Affleck-talks-about-his-new-film-Argo.html |archive-date=February 1, 2017}}</ref> Todd McCarthy of ''Variety'' wrote "the blandly handsome Affleck couldn't convince that he'd ever so much as been turned down for a date, much less lost the love of his life to his best friend".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/pearl-harbor-2-1200468183/ |title=Review:Pearl Harbor |first=Todd |last=McCarthy |work=Variety |date=May 23, 2001 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111213322/http://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/pearl-harbor-2-1200468183/ |archive-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> Affleck then parodied ''Good Will Hunting'' with Damon and Van Sant in Kevin Smith's ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back]]'' (2001),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9500E1D71531F937A1575BC0A9679C8B63 |title=Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back: Hitchhiking in a Hurry: What Does That Tell You? |first=Elvis |last=Mitchell |work=The New York Times |date=August 24, 2001 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141226211737/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9500E1D71531F937A1575BC0A9679C8B63 |archive-date=December 26, 2014}}</ref> made a cameo in the comedy ''[[Daddy and Them]]'' (2001),<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/daddy-and-them-1200469312/ |title=Review: Daddy and Them |work=Variety |first=Eddie |last=Cockrell |date=August 28, 2001 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150111213416/http://variety.com/2001/film/reviews/daddy-and-them-1200469312/ |archive-date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> and had a supporting role in the little-seen ''[[The Third Wheel (film)|The Third Wheel]]'' (2002).<ref name="people2"/> He portrayed the [[CIA]] analyst [[Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy)|Jack Ryan]] in the thriller ''[[The Sum of All Fears (film)|The Sum of All Fears]]'' (2002). Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' felt he was miscast in a role previously played by both [[Harrison Ford]] and Alec Baldwin: "Although Mr. Affleck can be appealing when playing earnest young men groping toward maturity, he simply lacks the gravitas for the role."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D05E6DF163AF932A05756C0A9649C8B63 |title=The Sum of all Fears: Terrorism That's All Too Real |first=Stephen |last=Holden |work=The New York Times |date=May 31, 2002 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141227120202/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9D05E6DF163AF932A05756C0A9649C8B63 |archive-date=December 27, 2014}}</ref> Affleck had an "amazing experience" making the thriller ''[[Changing Lanes]]'' (2002),<ref name="ReferenceA"/> and later cited [[Roger Michell]] as someone he learned from as a director.<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/films-music/interview-out-on-the-town-with-ben-affleck-2010-12-27-1.334550 |title=Interview: Out on The Town with Ben Affleck |agency=[[Reuters]] |publisher=[[Emirates 24/7]] |date=December 27, 2010 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219062707/http://www.emirates247.com/entertainment/films-music/interview-out-on-the-town-with-ben-affleck-2010-12-27-1.334550 |archive-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> Robert Koehler of ''Variety'' described it as one of his "most thoroughly wrought" performances: "The journey into a moral fog compels him to play more inwardly and thoughtfully than he ever has before."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/changing-lanes-1200550432/ |title=Review: 'Changing Lanes' |work=Variety |date=April 5, 2002 |first=Robert |last=Koehler |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140914135035/http://variety.com/2002/film/reviews/changing-lanes-1200550432/ |archive-date=September 14, 2014}}</ref>

Affleck became more involved with television and film production in the early 2000s. He and Damon had set up [[Pearl Street Films]] in 1998,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/1998/film/news/pearl-street-taps-kubena-1117478813/ |title=Pearl Street Taps Kubena |first=Chris |last=Petrikin |date=July 27, 1998 |work=Variety |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505060747/http://variety.com/1998/film/news/pearl-street-taps-kubena-1117478813/ |archive-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref> named after the street that ran between their childhood homes.<ref name="lauraholson">{{Cite news|first=Laura M. |last=Holson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/arts/television-radio-bidding-to-be-moguls-of-a-risky-business.html |title=Bidding To Be Moguls Of a Risky Business- Page 2 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 29, 2014 |date=May 27, 2001 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140715184522/http://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/27/arts/television-radio-bidding-to-be-moguls-of-a-risky-business.html |archive-date=July 15, 2014}}</ref> Their next production company [[LivePlanet]], co-founded in 2000 with [[Sean Bailey]] and [[Chris Moore (film producer)|Chris Moore]], sought to integrate the Internet into mainstream television and film production.<ref name="lauraholson"/><ref name="Laura M. Holson">{{Cite news|last=Holson |first=Laura |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/business/affleck-and-damon-find-real-life-obstacles-to-their-media-venture.html |title=Affleck and Damon Find Real-Life Obstacles to Their Media Venture |work=The New York Times |date=August 5, 2002 |access-date=June 29, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714114434/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/08/05/business/affleck-and-damon-find-real-life-obstacles-to-their-media-venture.html |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> LivePlanet's biggest success was the documentary series ''[[Project Greenlight]]'', aired on [[HBO]] and later [[Bravo (U.S. TV network)|Bravo]], which focused on first-time filmmakers being given the chance to direct a feature film. ''Project Greenlight'' was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Reality Program]] in 2002, 2004 and 2005.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Louise A. |last=Barile |url=https://people.com/celebrity/ben-matt-to-give-second-greenlight/|title=Ben & Matt To Give Second 'Greenlight' |access-date=June 9, 2008 |date=August 21, 2002 |work=People |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080417034733/http://www.people.com/people/article/0%2C%2C624578%2C00.html |archive-date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> ''[[Push, Nevada]]'' (2002), created, written and produced by Affleck and Bailey,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2002/tv/features/push-nevada-1200546284/ |title=Review: 'Push, Nevada' |first=Phil |last=Gallo |date=September 11, 2002 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161022223621/http://variety.com/2002/tv/features/push-nevada-1200546284/ |archive-date=October 22, 2016}}</ref> was an [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]] mystery drama series that placed a viewer-participation game within the frame of the show.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,363522,00.html |title=Ben Affleck & Matt Damon |date=October 10, 2002 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=June 4, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618013042/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C363522%2C00.html |archive-date=June 18, 2009 |url-status=dead|first=Kelly |last=Connolly}}</ref> [[Caryn James]] of ''The New York Times'' praised the show's "nerve, imagination and clever writing",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/17/arts/television/17JAME.html |title=Sex in Unison: Just One Quirk Among Many |first=Caryn |last=James |date=September 17, 2002 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160508164850/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/17/arts/television/17JAME.html |archive-date=May 8, 2016}}</ref> but Robert Bianco of ''USA Today'' described it as a "knock-off" of ''[[Twin Peaks]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|url= http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2002-09-16-push-nevada_x.htm |last=Bianco |first= Robert |date= September 16, 2002 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160508175655/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/reviews/2002-09-16-push-nevada_x.htm |access-date=April 12, 2017 |archive-date= May 8, 2016|title=Quirky 'Push' is Truly a Mystery Within a Mystery |work=[[USA Today]]}}</ref> The show was canceled by ABC after seven episodes due to low ratings.<ref>{{Cite web|last1=Friedman |first1=Wayne |title=Cancellation of Push, Nevada Miffs Marketers |url=http://adage.com/article/news/cancellation-push-nevada-miffs-marketers/36012/ |website=[[Advertising Age]] |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=October 14, 2002 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416125727/http://adage.com/article/news/cancellation-push-nevada-miffs-marketers/36012/ |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> Over time, LivePlanet's focus shifted from multimedia projects to more traditional film production.<ref name="Laura M. Holson"/> Affleck and his partners signed a film production deal with [[The Walt Disney Company|Disney]] in 2002; it expired in 2007.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/planet-in-disney-pic-prod-n-orbit-1117870767/ |title=Planet in Disney Pic Prod'n Orbit |first=Michael |last=Fleming |date=August 5, 2002 |work=Variety |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505073230/http://variety.com/2002/film/markets-festivals/planet-in-disney-pic-prod-n-orbit-1117870767/ |archive-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/liveplanet-film-unit-takes-final-bow-1117979856/ |title=LivePlanet Film Unit Takes Final Bow |first=Michael |last=Fleming |date=January 30, 2008 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170522200137/http://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/liveplanet-film-unit-takes-final-bow-1117979856/ |archive-date=May 22, 2017}}</ref>

===2003–2005: Career downturn and tabloid notoriety===
While Affleck had been a tabloid figure for much of his career,<ref name="people2"/> he was the subject of increased media attention in 2003 because of his relationship with Jennifer Lopez. By the end of the year, Affleck had become, in the words of ''GQ'', the "world's most over-exposed actor".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201304/verge-letter-ben-affleck-april-2004|title=The Verge: Building a New Ben |work=GQ |date=January 4, 2014 |access-date=June 19, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714162743/http://www.gq.com/entertainment/movies-and-tv/201304/verge-letter-ben-affleck-april-2004?changecurrentdate=true&date=2013%2F04%2F11&save_in_session=true |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> His tabloid fame coincided with a series of poorly received films.

[[File:Benafflecknavy1.jpg|thumb|upright|alt=Ben Affleck, with a trim goatee and moustache, is surrounded by hands reaching out to him.|Affleck visiting US Marines in [[Manama, Bahrain]] in 2003]]

The first of these was ''[[Daredevil (film)|Daredevil]]'' (2003), in which Affleck starred as the [[Daredevil (Marvel Comics character)|blind superhero]]. Affleck was a longtime comic book fan, and, in 1999, had written a foreword for Kevin Smith's ''[[Guardian Devil]]'' about his love for the character of Daredevil.<ref>{{Cite web|first=Ryan J. |last=Downey |date=June 24, 2002 |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1455368/affleck-garner-open-up-about-daredevil/ |title=Affleck, Garner Open Up About 'Daredevil' |publisher=[[MTV]] |access-date=April 27, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150822033506/http://www.mtv.com/news/1455368/affleck-garner-open-up-about-daredevil/ |archive-date=August 22, 2015}}</ref> The film was a commercial success,<ref name="earnings">{{Cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=benaffleck.htm|title=Ben Affleck Movie Box Office Results|website=Box Office Mojo|access-date=April 27, 2009| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090508083945/http://boxofficemojo.com/people/chart/?view=Actor&id=benaffleck.htm| archive-date= May 8, 2009 | url-status=live}}</ref> but received a mixed response from critics. Elvis Mitchell of ''The New York Times'' said Affleck was "lost" in the role: "Affleck is shriveled by the one-dimensional role ... [Only his scenes with [[Jon Favreau]] have] a playful side that allows Mr. Affleck to show his generosity as an actor."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9400E0D7143AF937A25751C0A9659C8B63 |title=Daredevil: Blind Lawyer As Hero In Red |first=Elvis |last=Mitchell |work=The New York Times |date=February 14, 2003 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121051708/http://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9400E0D7143AF937A25751C0A9659C8B63 |archive-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> In 2014, Affleck described ''Daredevil'' as the only film he regretted making.<ref name="kinja1"/> He next appeared as a low-ranking mobster in the romantic comedy ''[[Gigli (film)|Gigli]]'' (2003), co-starring Lopez. The film was almost uniformly panned,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gigli/ |title=Gigli (2003) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=August 2003 |access-date=July 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520151906/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gigli/ |archive-date=May 20, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/25/why-gigli-isnt-a-bad-movie-hear-me-out|title=Hear me out: why Gigli isn't a bad movie|work=Guardian|first=Jason|last=Bailey|date=January 25, 2021|access-date=June 15, 2022|archive-date=July 4, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704224823/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2021/jan/25/why-gigli-isnt-a-bad-movie-hear-me-out|url-status=live}}</ref> with [[Manohla Dargis]] of the ''Los Angeles Times'' remarking that "Affleck doesn't have the chops or the charm to maneuver around (or past) bad material."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-aug-01-et-dargis1-story.html |title=Gigli's Faults: More Than a Couple |first=Manohla |last=Dargis |work=Los Angeles Times |date=August 1, 2003 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121062722/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/aug/01/entertainment/et-dargis1 |archive-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> Rex Reed of ''[[observer.com|The Observer]]'' criticized the co-stars, writing that the film reminds the world how "pathetically incompetent they both are in the only two things that matter in career longevity - craft and talent."<ref>{{cite news |title=This Smash-Up Is Just Smashing! |url=https://observer.com/2003/08/this-smashup-is-just-smashing/ |access-date=October 6, 2021 |work=Observer |date=August 11, 2003}}</ref> Yet Affleck has repeatedly defended director [[Martin Brest]] since the film's release, describing him as "one of the really great directors".<ref name="ReferenceB"/><ref>{{Cite news|last=Shone |first=Tom |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9646122/Ben-Affleck-talks-about-his-new-film-Argo.html |title=Ben Affleck Talks About His New Film, Argo |work=The Telegraph |access-date=June 29, 2014 |date=November 6, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140602123820/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/9646122/Ben-Affleck-talks-about-his-new-film-Argo.html |archive-date=June 2, 2014}}</ref> In his last film role of 2003, Affleck starred as a [[Reverse engineering|reverse engineer]] in the sci-fi thriller ''[[Paycheck (film)|Paycheck]]'' (2003). Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian'' remarked on Affleck's "self-deprecating charm" and wondered why he could not find better scripts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/jan/16/dvdreviews.shopping4 |title=Paycheck |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |work=The Guardian |date=January 15, 2004 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150121055529/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2004/jan/16/dvdreviews.shopping4 |archive-date=January 21, 2015}}</ref> Manohla Dargis of the ''Los Angeles Times'' found it "almost unfair" to critique Affleck, given that he "had such a rough year".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Dargis |first1=Manohla |title=Director Woo Falls Down on the Job with 'Paycheck' |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-dec-24-et-manohla24-story.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=December 24, 2003 |access-date=April 10, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411135058/http://articles.latimes.com/2003/dec/24/entertainment/et-manohla24 |archive-date=April 11, 2017}}</ref>

Affleck's poor critical notices continued in 2004 when he starred as a bereaved husband in the romantic comedy ''[[Jersey Girl (2004 film)|Jersey Girl]]'', directed by longtime collaborator Smith. Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' described Affleck as an actor "whose talent has curdled as his tabloid notoriety has spread."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/26/movies/26JERS.html |title=How to End a Career: Take a Baby to a News Conference |work=The New York Times |date=March 26, 2004 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |first=Stephen |last=Holden |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141106025904/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/03/26/movies/26JERS.html |archive-date=November 6, 2014}}</ref> Later that year, he starred opposite [[James Gandolfini]] in the holiday comedy ''[[Surviving Christmas]]''. Holden noted in ''The New York Times'' that the film "found a clever way to use Ben Affleck's disagreeable qualities. The actor's shark-like grin, cocky petulance and bullying frat-boy swagger befit his character."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/22/movies/22surv.html |title=You Can't Go Home, or Perhaps You Just Shouldn't |first=Stephen |last=Holden |work=The New York Times |date=October 22, 2004 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150528063821/http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/22/movies/22surv.html |archive-date=May 28, 2015}}</ref> At this point, the quality of scripts offered to Affleck "was just getting worse and worse", the negative press coverage "really started to affect" him,<ref>{{cite news |title=Ben Affleck is done worrying about what other people think |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-01-07/ben-affleck-tender-bar-amazon |access-date=March 18, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=January 7, 2022 |archive-date=January 7, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220107225112/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-01-07/ben-affleck-tender-bar-amazon |url-status=live }}</ref> and he decided to take a career break.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Silverman |first1=Stephen M. |title=Ben Affleck: 'I Would Love' More Kids |url=http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-i-would-love-more-kids/ |work=People |access-date=April 12, 2017 |date=November 29, 2006 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413072041/http://people.com/celebrity/ben-affleck-i-would-love-more-kids/ |archive-date=April 13, 2017}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' published a piece on the downfall of Affleck's career in late 2004. The article noted that, unlike film critics and tabloid journalists, "few industry professionals seem to be gloating over Affleck's travails".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-oct-27-et-affleck27-story.html |title=Ben's Big Fall |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 27, 2004 |first=Kim |last=Masters |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021034949/http://articles.latimes.com/2004/oct/27/entertainment/et-affleck27 |archive-date=October 21, 2014}}</ref>

===2006–2015: Emergence as a director===
Affleck began a career comeback in 2006 with his acclaimed performance as [[Superman]] actor [[George Reeves]] in the noir biopic ''[[Hollywoodland]]''. [[Peter Travers]] of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' praised "an award-caliber performance ... This is feeling, nuanced work from an actor some of us had prematurely written off."<ref name="stone">{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/hollywoodland-252052/|title=Hollywoodland|last=Travers |first=Peter |date=September 7, 2006 |magazine=[[Rolling Stone]] |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110628214622/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/hollywoodland-20060908 |archive-date=June 28, 2011}}</ref> Geoffrey Macnab of ''The Guardian'' said he "beautifully" captured "the character's curious mix of charm, vulnerability and fatalism".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Macnab |first=Geoffrey |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/nov/07/features.features11 |title=Come Fly With Me |work=The Guardian |date=November 7, 2006 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015011333/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/nov/07/features.features11 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> He was awarded the [[Volpi Cup]] at the [[Venice Film Festival]] and was nominated for a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28400 |title=HFPA – Awards Search |access-date=June 10, 2008 |publisher=[[Hollywood Foreign Press Association]] |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120801143024/http://www.goldenglobes.org/browse/member/28400 |archive-date=August 1, 2012 }}</ref> Also in 2006, he made a cameo in Smith's ''[[Clerks II]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-07-20-clerks-review_x.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150208001438/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/movies/reviews/2006-07-20-clerks-review_x.htm|archive-date=February 8, 2015|title=Inspired Moments are Too Few in Clerks II|first=Scott|last=Bowles|work=USA Today|date=July 21, 2006|access-date=March 27, 2015}}</ref> starred in the little-seen ''[[Man About Town (2006 film)|Man About Town]]'' and had a minor role in the crime drama ''[[Smokin' Aces]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Man About Town – Box Office Mojo|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3495986689/|website=[[Box Office Mojo]]|access-date=March 9, 2022|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170819060533/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=manabouttown.htm|archive-date=August 19, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Siegel|first1=Tatiana|title=Chris Pine Reveals His Politics Amid High-Risk 'Jack Ryan' Play|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/chris-pine-reveals-his-politics-668160/|access-date=March 9, 2022|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 2, 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170817145054/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/chris-pine-reveals-his-politics-668160|archive-date=August 17, 2017}}</ref>

In 2007, Affleck made his feature film directorial debut with ''[[Gone Baby Gone]]'', a crime drama set in a working-class Boston neighborhood, starring his brother Casey as a private investigator searching for a young abductee. Affleck co‑wrote the screenplay, based on the [[Gone, Baby, Gone (novel)|book]] by [[Dennis Lehane]], with childhood friend Aaron Stockard, having first mentioned his intention to adapt the story in 2003.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2003/film/columns/lopez-flies-to-affleck-during-life-breaks-1117885433/ |title=Lopez Flies to Affleck During 'Life' Breaks |first=Army |last=Archerd |date=May 1, 2003 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509054425/http://variety.com/2003/film/columns/lopez-flies-to-affleck-during-life-breaks-1117885433/ |archive-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.comingsoon.net/extras/features/2711-interviews-ben-affleck-talks-paycheck |title=Interviews: Ben Affleck Talks Paycheck |date=December 15, 2003 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=[[CraveOnline|ComingSoon]] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220095442/http://www.comingsoon.net/extras/features/2711-interviews-ben-affleck-talks-paycheck |archive-date=December 20, 2016}}</ref> It opened to enthusiastic reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gone_baby_gone/ |title=Gone Baby Gone (2007) |website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=October 19, 2007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150817101856/http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/gone_baby_gone/ |archive-date=August 17, 2015|access-date=April 12, 2017}}</ref> Manohla Dargis of ''The New York Times'' praised the film's "sensitivity to real struggle",<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/movies/19gone.html |title=Human Frailty and Pain on Boston's Mean Streets |work=The New York Times |date=October 19, 2007 |first=Manohla |last=Dargis |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150605072139/http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/19/movies/19gone.html |archive-date=June 5, 2015}}</ref> while Stephen Farber of ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' described it as "thoughtful, deeply poignant, [and] splendidly executed".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/gone-baby-gone-158168/ |title=Gone Baby Gone |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=September 4, 2007 |first=Stephen |last=Farber |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013050419/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/gone-baby-gone-158168 |archive-date=October 13, 2014}}</ref>

While Affleck intended to "keep a primary emphasis on directing" going forward in his career,<ref>{{Cite news|last=Stein |first=Ruthe |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Ben-Affleck-behind-the-camera-in-Gone-Baby-Gone-2536579.php |title=Ben Affleck Behind the Camera in 'Gone Baby Gone' |work=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160509185332/http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Ben-Affleck-behind-the-camera-in-Gone-Baby-Gone-2536579.php |archive-date=May 9, 2016}}</ref> he acted in three films in 2009. In the ensemble romantic comedy ''[[He's Just Not That Into You (film)|He's Just Not That Into You]]'', the chemistry between Affleck and [[Jennifer Aniston]] was praised.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Gleiberman |first=Owen |url=https://www.ew.com/article/2009/02/04/hes-just-not-you |title=He's Just Not That Into You |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=February 4, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161107210402/http://www.ew.com/article/2009/02/04/hes-just-not-you |archive-date=November 7, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Burr |first=Ty |url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/02/06/when_will_she_be_loved_1233858484/ |title=Love and Star Power Mingle in 'He's Just Not That Into You' |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=February 6, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605051740/http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/02/06/when_will_she_be_loved_1233858484/ |archive-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> Affleck played a congressman in the political thriller ''[[State of Play (film)|State of Play]]''. Wesley Morris of ''The Boston Globe'' found him "very good in the film's silliest role,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/04/17/state_of_play/?page=2 |last=Morris |first=Wesley |title='State of Play' Chases Juicy Story and Lionizes Print Reporters |work=[[The Boston Globe]] |date=April 17, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605042913/http://archive.boston.com/ae/movies/articles/2009/04/17/state_of_play/?page=2 |archive-date=June 5, 2016}}</ref> but David Edelstein of ''New York Magazine'' remarked of Affleck: "He might be smart and thoughtful in life [but] as an actor his wheels turn too slowly."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Edelstein |first=David |url=https://nymag.com/listings/movie/state-of-play/ |title=State of Play |work=New York |date=April 17, 2009 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221114614/http://nymag.com/listings/movie/state-of-play/ |archive-date=December 21, 2016}}</ref> He had a supporting role as a bartender in the little-seen comedy film ''[[Extract (film)|Extract]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|first=Christy |last=Lemire |url=http://www.salon.com/2009/09/04/extract/ |title=Review: 'Extract' Tastes Too Bland |access-date=December 28, 2009 |date=August 31, 2009 |work=Salon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807133940/http://www.salon.com/2009/09/04/extract/ |archive-date=August 7, 2016}}</ref> Peter Travers of ''Rolling Stone'' described his performance as "a goofball delight",<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/extract-20090903 |title=Extract |first=Peter |last=Travers |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=September 3, 2009 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150308090011/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/extract-20090903 |archive-date=March 8, 2015}}</ref> while Manohla Dargis of ''The New York Times'' declared it "a real performance".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/movies/04extract.html |title=Working in the Salt Mines: The Boss's View |work=The New York Times |date=September 3, 2009 |first=Manohla |last=Dargis |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010095957/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/04/movies/04extract.html |archive-date=October 10, 2015}}</ref> In 2010, Affleck starred in ''[[The Company Men]]'' as a mid-level sales executive who is made redundant during the [[2008 financial crisis]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2010/12/21/132225128/Ben-Afflect-Deals-With-Jobless-In-Company-Men |title=Affleck: When 'Company Men' Lose A Firm Footing |publisher=[[NPR]] |date=December 21, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006080211/http://www.npr.org/2010/12/21/132225128/Ben-Afflect-Deals-With-Jobless-In-Company-Men |archive-date=October 6, 2014}}</ref> David Denby of ''The New Yorker'' declared that Affleck "gives his best performance yet",<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/roundup-4 |title=Roundup |magazine=The New Yorker |first=David |last=Denby |date=December 20, 2010 |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018125037/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2010/12/20/roundup-4 |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> while Richard Corliss of ''Time'' found he "nails Bobby's plunge from hubris to humiliation".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,2036615,00.html |title=The Company Men: You're Hired! |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |date=January 22, 2011 |first=Richard |last=Corliss |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028062759/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0%2C8599%2C2036615%2C00.html |archive-date=October 28, 2014}}</ref>

[[File:The town affleck.jpg|thumb|upright|right|alt=Ben Affleck, wearing a tracksuit top, smiles|Affleck on the set of {{Nowrap|''[[The Town (2010 film)|The Town]]''}} in 2010]]

Following the modest commercial success of ''Gone Baby Gone'', [[Warner Bros.]] developed a close working relationship with Affleck and offered him his choice of the studio's scripts.<ref name="auto"/> He decided to direct the crime drama ''[[The Town (2010 film)|The Town]]'' (2010), an adaptation of [[Chuck Hogan]]'s novel ''Prince of Thieves''. He also re-wrote the screenplay and starred in the film as a bank robber. The film became a surprise box office hit, and gained further critical acclaim for Affleck.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2010/09/first-box-office-ben-afflecks-the-town-surprises-for-1-easy-a-2-devil-3-alpha-omega-5-68227/ |title=Ben Affleck's 'The Town' Surprises For #1; 'Easy A' #2, 'Devil' #3, 'Alpha & Omega' #5 |first=Nikki |last=Finke |date=September 19, 2010 |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170108224644/http://deadline.com/2010/09/first-box-office-ben-afflecks-the-town-surprises-for-1-easy-a-2-devil-3-alpha-omega-5-68227/ |archive-date=January 8, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_town |title=The Town (2010) |website=Rotten Tomatoes |date=September 17, 2010 |access-date=July 7, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161212090019/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_town/ |archive-date=December 12, 2016}}</ref> A.O. Scott of ''The New York Times'' praised his "skill and self-confidence as a serious director,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17town.html |title=Bunker Hill to Fenway: A Crook's Freedom Trail |work=The New York Times |date=September 16, 2010 |first=A.O. |last=Scott |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150913014704/http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/17/movies/17town.html |archive-date=September 13, 2015}}</ref> while Roger Ebert of the ''Chicago Sun-Times'' noted: "Affleck has the stuff of a real director. Everything is here. It's an effective thriller, he works closely with actors, he has a feel for pacing."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-town-2010 |title=The Town |work=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=September 15, 2010 |first=Roger |last=Ebert |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012074739/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-town-2010 |archive-date=October 12, 2014}}</ref> Also in 2010, Affleck and Damon's production company, Pearl Street Films, signed a [[first look deal|first-look producing deal]] at Warner Bros.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/affleck-damon-in-talks-with-warner-bros-1118015392/ |title=Affleck, Damon in Talks with Warner Bros. |first=Dave |last=McNary |work=Variety |date=February 17, 2010 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160505071352/http://variety.com/2010/film/news/affleck-damon-in-talks-with-warner-bros-1118015392/ |archive-date=May 5, 2016}}</ref>

Affleck soon began work on his next directorial project, ''[[Argo (2012 film)|Argo]]'' (2012), for Warner Bros. Written by [[Chris Terrio]] and starring Affleck as a CIA operative, the film tells the story of the CIA plan to save six U.S. diplomats during the 1979 [[Iran hostage crisis]] by faking a production for a large-scale science fiction film. Anthony Lane of ''The New Yorker'' said the film offered "further proof that we were wrong about Ben Affleck".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/15/film-within-a-film |title=Film Within a Film |magazine=The New Yorker |date=October 15, 2012 |first=Anthony |last=Lane |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141018130546/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2012/10/15/film-within-a-film |archive-date=October 18, 2014}}</ref> Peter Travers of ''Rolling Stone'' remarked: "Affleck takes the next step in what looks like a major directing career ... He directs the hell out of it, nailing the quickening pace, the wayward humor, the nerve-frying suspense."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/argo-20121011 |title=Argo |magazine=Rolling Stone |date=October 11, 2012 |first=Peter |last=Travers |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141015223210/http://www.rollingstone.com/movies/reviews/argo-20121011 |archive-date=October 15, 2014}}</ref> A major critical and commercial success,<ref>{{Cite news|last=McClintock |first=Pamela |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-milestone-ben-afflecks-420721/ |title=Box Office Milestone: Ben Affleck's 'Argo' Hitting $200 Million Worldwide |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 2, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161221055350/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-milestone-ben-afflecks-420721 |archive-date=December 21, 2016}}</ref> ''Argo'' won the [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Academy Award]], [[Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture – Drama|Golden Globe Award]], and [[BAFTA Award for Best Film|BAFTA Award]] for Best Picture.<ref name=argo>{{Cite web|last=Thompson |first=Anne |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2013/01/sag-awards-with-critics-choice-globes-pga-and-sag-wins-argo-now-challenges-lincoln-video-199828/ |title=SAG Awards: With Critics Choice, Globes, PGA and SAG Wins, 'Argo' Now Challenges 'Lincoln' |work=IndieWire |date=January 27, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130131051720/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/sag-awards-with-critics-choice-golden-globes-pga-and-sag-wins-argo-now-challenges-lincoln-video |archive-date=January 31, 2013}}</ref> The cast won the [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture|Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Cast]]. Affleck himself won the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Director|Golden Globe Award]], [[Directors Guild of America Award for Outstanding Directing – Feature Film|Directors Guild of America Award]], and [[BAFTA Award for Best Direction|BAFTA Award]] for Best Director, becoming the first director to win these awards without a nomination for the [[Academy Award for Best Director]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Feinberg |first=Scott |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/argo-director-ben-afflecks-oscar-412794/ |title=How to Fix Oscar's Baffling Snub of Ben Affleck (Analysis) |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 16, 2013 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170502134239/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/argo-director-ben-afflecks-oscar-412794 |archive-date=May 2, 2017}}</ref>

The following year, Affleck played a romantic lead in [[Terrence Malick]]'s experimental drama ''[[To the Wonder]]''. Malick, a close friend of Affleck's godfather, first met Affleck in the 1990s to offer advice about the plot of ''Good Will Hunting''.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2011/01/how-do-you-like-that-terrence-malick-gave-ben-affleck-matt-damon-notes-on-good-will-hunting-121047/ |title=How Do You Like That? Terrence Malick Gave Ben Affleck & Matt Damon Notes On 'Good Will Hunting' |first=Oliver |last=Lyttelton |work=IndieWire |date=January 6, 2011 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710153848/http://www.indiewire.com/2011/01/how-do-you-like-that-terrence-malick-gave-ben-affleck-matt-damon-notes-on-good-will-hunting-121047/ |archive-date=July 10, 2017}}</ref> Peter Bradshaw of ''The Guardian'' enjoyed "a performance of dignity and sensitivity,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/21/to-the-wonder-review |title=To the Wonder |first=Peter |last=Bradshaw |work=The Guardian |date=February 21, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402225730/http://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/feb/21/to-the-wonder-review |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref> while ''The New Yorker''{{'}}s Richard Brody described Affleck as "a solid and muscular performer" who "conveys a sense of thoughtful and willful individuality".<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-cinematic-miracle-of-to-the-wonder |title=The Cinematic Miracle of 'To The Wonder' |first=Richard |last=Brody |magazine=The New Yorker |date=April 10, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150313043744/http://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/the-cinematic-miracle-of-to-the-wonder |archive-date=March 13, 2015}}</ref> Affleck's performance as a poker boss was considered a highlight of the poorly reviewed thriller ''[[Runner Runner (film)|Runner Runner]]'' (2013).<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/runner-runner-review-talented-cast-director-deal-a-weak-hand/2013/10/03/e93a29a8-2c4e-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html |title=Runner Runner Review: Talented Cast, Director Deal a Weak Hand |first=Ann |last=Hornaday |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402160057/http://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/movies/runner-runner-review-talented-cast-director-deal-a-weak-hand/2013/10/03/e93a29a8-2c4e-11e3-8ade-a1f23cda135e_story.html |archive-date=April 2, 2015}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/runner-runner-film-review-1200665983/ |title=Film Review: Runner Runner |first=Andrew |last=Barker |work=Variety |date=September 25, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911221751/http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/runner-runner-film-review-1200665983/ |archive-date=September 11, 2014}}</ref> Betsy Sharkey of the ''Los Angeles Times'' remarked that it was "one killer of a character, and Affleck plays him like a [[Johann Sebastian Bach|Bach]] concerto&nbsp;– every note perfectly played."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-runner-runner-20131004-story.html |title='Runner Runner' Runs Hot, Cold with Ben Affleck, Justin Timberlake |first=Betsy |last=Sharkey |work=Los Angeles Times |date=October 3, 2013 |access-date=March 27, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410052250/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-runner-runner-20131004-story.html |archive-date=April 10, 2015}}</ref>

He then pushed back production on his own directorial project to star as a husband accused of murder in [[David Fincher]]'s psychological thriller ''[[Gone Girl (film)|Gone Girl]]'' (2014).<ref>{{Cite news|last=Pierce |first=Nev |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/27/david-fincher-gone-girl-ben-affleck |title=David Fincher on Gone Girl: 'Bad Things Happen in This Movie...' |work=The Guardian |date=September 27, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170417034104/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2014/sep/27/david-fincher-gone-girl-ben-affleck |archive-date=April 17, 2017}}</ref> Fincher cast him partly because he understood what it felt like to be misrepresented by tabloid media: "What many people don't know is that he's crazy smart, but since he doesn't want that to get awkward, he downplays it. I think he learned how to skate on charm."<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/david-fincher-googled-ben-afflecks-smile-gone-girl |title=Gone Girl Director David Fincher Cast Ben Affleck After Googling His Nervous Smile |last=Robinson |first=Joanna |magazine=Vanity Fair |date=September 18, 2014 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025055747/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/david-fincher-googled-ben-afflecks-smile-gone-girl |archive-date=October 25, 2016}}</ref> David Edelstein of ''New York Magazine'' noted that Fincher's controlled style of directing had a "remarkable" effect on Affleck's acting: "I never thought I'd write these words, but he carries the movie. He's terrific."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2014/09/movie-review-gone-girl.html |title=David Fincher Puts Ben Affleck's Evasiveness to Good Use in Gone Girl |work=New York |date=October 1, 2014 |first=David |last=Edelstein |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007015350/http://www.vulture.com/2014/09/movie-review-gone-girl.html |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> Justin Chang of ''Variety'' found Affleck "perfectly cast": "It's a tricky turn, requiring a measure of careful underplaying and emotional aloofness, and he nails it completely."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-gone-girl-1201308847/ |title=Film Review: 'Gone Girl' |work=Variety |date=September 21, 2014 |first=Justin |last=Chang |access-date=October 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007015350/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/film-review-gone-girl-1201308847/ |archive-date=October 7, 2014}}</ref> In 2015, Affleck and Damon's ''Project Greenlight'' was resurrected by HBO for one season.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/the-unsinkable-effie-brown-makes-hbos-project-greenlight-a-must-see-im-not-his-favorite-person-20151012 |title=The Unsinkable Effie Brown Makes HBO's 'Project Greenlight' a Must-See: "I'm not his favorite person" |first=Anne |last=Thompson |date=October 12, 2015 |work=IndieWire |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160507091303/http://blogs.indiewire.com/thompsononhollywood/the-unsinkable-effie-brown-makes-hbos-project-greenlight-a-must-see-im-not-his-favorite-person-20151012 |archive-date=May 7, 2016}}</ref>

===2016–2019: Batman and continued directing===
[[File:Ben Affleck by Gage Skidmore 2.jpg|thumb|upright|Affleck at the 2016 [[San Diego Comic-Con]]]]
Given Affleck's growing reputation as a filmmaker, his decision to star as [[Bruce Wayne (DC Extended Universe)|Batman]] in the 2016 superhero film ''[[Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice]]'' was regarded by Dave Itzkoff of ''The New York Times'' as "a somewhat bewildering choice".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Itzkoff |first1=Dave |title=Ben Affleck's 'Broken' Batman |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/movies/ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-interview.html |work=The New York Times |access-date=April 16, 2017 |date=March 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170112045054/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/03/20/movies/ben-affleck-batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-interview.html |archive-date=January 12, 2017}}</ref> Although the casting announcement was met with intense fan backlash,<ref>{{Cite news|last=McDonald |first=Soraya Nadia |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/07/12/paging-hair-and-makeup-ben-affleck-makes-his-first-public-appearance-since-splitting-with-jennifer-garner-at-comic-con/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=Paging Hair and Makeup! Ben Affleck Makes his First Public Appearance Since Splitting with Jennifer Garner – at Comic-Con |date=July 12, 2015 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150713192952/http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/style-blog/wp/2015/07/12/paging-hair-and-makeup-ben-affleck-makes-his-first-public-appearance-since-splitting-with-jennifer-garner-at-comic-con/ |archive-date=July 13, 2015}}</ref> Affleck's performance ultimately earned a positive reception. Andrew Barker of ''Variety'' found him "a winningly cranky, charismatic presence,"<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/batman-v-superman-review-dawn-of-justice-1201735801/ |title=Film Review: 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' |first=Andrew |last=Barker |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203120747/http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/batman-v-superman-review-dawn-of-justice-1201735801/ |archive-date=February 3, 2017}}</ref> while Brian Truitt of ''USA Today'' enjoyed his "strong" and "surprisingly emotional" take on the character.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Truitt |first=Brian |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/22/review-batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-movie/82089610/ |title=Review: New Heroes Shine in 'Batman v Superman' |work=USA Today |date=March 22, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170318191901/http://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2016/03/22/review-batman-v-superman-dawn-of-justice-movie/82089610/ |archive-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref> Affleck reprised his role as Batman later that year, making a brief cameo appearance in ''[[Suicide Squad (2016 film)|Suicide Squad]]'' (2016).<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Berman|first1=Eliza|title=Does Suicide Squad Really Need That Post-Credits Scene?|magazine=Time|date=August 5, 2016|url=https://time.com/4435399/suicide-squad-post-credits-scene-dc-comics/|access-date=August 21, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170726200538/http://time.com/4435399/suicide-squad-post-credits-scene-dc-comics/|archive-date=July 26, 2017}}</ref> He starred as an [[Autism|autistic]] accountant in the action thriller ''[[The Accountant (2016 film)|The Accountant]]'' (2016), which was an unexpected commercial success.<ref name="accountanthit">{{Cite news|last1=Lincoln |first1=Kevin |title=The Accountant Is a Hit, and Ben Affleck Is Truly a Movie Star Again |url=https://www.vulture.com/2016/10/account-and-affleck-win-at-the-box-office.html |access-date=March 18, 2017 |work=New York |date=October 16, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219160012/http://www.vulture.com/2016/10/account-and-affleck-win-at-the-box-office.html |archive-date=December 19, 2016}}</ref> Peter Debruge of ''Variety'' felt Affleck's "boy-next-door" demeanor&nbsp;– "so normal and non-actorly that most of his performances feel like watching one of your buddies up on screen"&nbsp;– was "a terrific fit" for the role.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/the-accountant-review-ben-affleck-1201883932/ |title=Film Review: 'The Accountant' |first=Peter |last=Debruge |date=October 12, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=Variety |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170429201657/http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/the-accountant-review-ben-affleck-1201883932/ |archive-date=April 29, 2017}}</ref> Stephen Holden of ''The New York Times'' wondered why Affleck, "looking appropriately dead-eyed and miserable," committed himself to the film.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holden |first=Stephen |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/movies/review-in-the-accountant-a-savant-with-daddy-issues-has-a-dark-secret.html |title=Review: In 'The Accountant,' Ben Affleck Plays a Savant With a Dark Secret |date=October 13, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |work=The New York Times |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170406173027/https://www.nytimes.com/2016/10/14/movies/review-in-the-accountant-a-savant-with-daddy-issues-has-a-dark-secret.html |archive-date=April 6, 2017}}</ref>

''[[Live by Night (film)|Live by Night]]'', which Affleck wrote, directed, co-produced, and starred in, was released in late 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/lego-movie-live-by-night-bastards-geostorm-warner-bros-release-dates-shifted-1201774989/ |title=Warner Bros Pushes 'Lego Movie 2' Release To 2019 |first=Ross A. |last=Lincoln |date=June 18, 2016 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |website=Deadline Hollywood |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205034952/http://deadline.com/2016/06/lego-movie-live-by-night-bastards-geostorm-warner-bros-release-dates-shifted-1201774989/ |archive-date=February 5, 2017}}</ref> Adapted from [[Dennis Lehane]]'s [[Live by Night|novel of the same name]], the [[Prohibition in the United States|Prohibition]]-era gangster drama received largely unenthusiastic reviews and failed to recoup its $65 million production budget.<ref>{{Cite news|last=McClintock |first=Pamela |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/box-office-why-ben-afflecks-live-by-night-martin-scorseses-silence-fared-poorly-964185/ |title=Box Office: Why Ben Affleck's 'Live by Night' and Martin Scorsese's 'Silence' Fared So Poorly |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 14, 2017 |access-date=March 9, 2022 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170116155113/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-why-ben-afflecks-live-by-night-martin-scorseses-silence-fared-poorly-964185 |archive-date=January 16, 2017}}</ref> David Sims of ''The Atlantic'' described it as "a fascinating mess of a movie" and criticized Affleck's "stiff, uncomfortable" performance. He noted that one of the last action scenes "is so wonderfully staged, its action crisp and easy to follow, that it reminds you what skill Affleck has with the camera".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/01/ben-affleck-live-by-night-review/512972/ |title='Live by Night' Is Too Epic for Its Own Good |first=David |last=Sims |work=[[The Atlantic]] |date=January 13, 2017 |access-date=April 12, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170403221605/https://www.theatlantic.com/entertainment/archive/2017/01/ben-affleck-live-by-night-review/512972/ |archive-date=April 3, 2017}}</ref> In October 2016, Affleck and Damon made a one-off stage appearance for a live reading of the ''Good Will Hunting'' screenplay at New York's [[Skirball Center for the Performing Arts|Skirball Theater]].<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Owen |first1=Paul |title=Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Surprise Fans with Good Will Hunting Reading |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/08/matt-damon-ben-affleck-good-will-hunting-screenplay-reading |work=The Guardian |access-date=April 16, 2017 |date=October 8, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170416012704/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/oct/08/matt-damon-ben-affleck-good-will-hunting-screenplay-reading |archive-date=April 16, 2017}}</ref> The superhero film ''[[Justice League (film)|Justice League]]'', in which Affleck returned as Batman, was released in 2017.<ref name=DCEU2017>{{Cite news|last1=Child|first1=Ben|title=Five tasks Justice League must complete to save the DC universe|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/five-tasks-justice-league-must-complete-to-save-the-dc-universe|access-date=December 13, 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|date=November 1, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171214124456/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/01/five-tasks-justice-league-must-complete-to-save-the-dc-universe|archive-date=December 14, 2017}}</ref> He later described it as a "difficult" on-set experience.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Guerrasio |first1=Jason |title=Ben Affleck says reprising his Batman role in 'The Flash' was fun after a 'difficult' shoot on 'Justice League' |url=https://www.insider.com/ben-affleck-justice-league-shoot-difficult-2021-10 |work=Insider |access-date=October 16, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606065212/https://www.insider.com/ben-affleck-justice-league-shoot-difficult-2021-10 |url-status=live }}</ref> [[Zack Snyder]] stepped down during filming due to the death of his daughter,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |title=Zack Snyder Steps Down From 'Justice League' to Deal With Family Tragedy |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455/ |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=May 22, 2017 |archive-date=October 19, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019051714/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/zack-snyder-steps-down-justice-league-deal-family-tragedy-1006455/ |url-status=live }}</ref> the replacement director [[Joss Whedon]]'s treatment of actors was the subject of complaints,<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Walsh |first1=Savannah |title=Gal Gadot Says Joss Whedon "Threatened" Her Career on the Set of Justice League |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/05/gal-gadot-claims-joss-whedon-threatened-her-career-on-the-set-of-justice-league |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=Vanity Fair Blogs |date=May 10, 2021 |archive-date=August 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220805234932/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2021/05/gal-gadot-claims-joss-whedon-threatened-her-career-on-the-set-of-justice-league |url-status=live }}</ref> and Affleck himself was struggling with addiction issues.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck Talks Alcohol Abuse During 'Justice League' & Why The "Suffering" Was All Worth It |url=https://theplaylist.net/ben-affleck-justice-league-alcohol-abuse-20210114/ |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=theplaylist.net |archive-date=August 6, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220806002647/https://theplaylist.net/ben-affleck-justice-league-alcohol-abuse-20210114/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film drew mixed opinions from critics; Todd McCarthy of ''The Hollywood Reporter'' wrote that Affleck "looks like he'd rather be almost anywhere else but here."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Justice League Reviews|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/justice-league|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=January 3, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117133710/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/justice-league|archive-date=November 17, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last1=McCarthy|first1=Todd|title='Justice League': Film Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/justice-league-review-1057114/|website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=March 9, 2022|date=November 14, 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171229044921/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/justice-league-review-1057114|archive-date=December 29, 2017}}</ref>

Amidst an alcoholism relapse, Affleck did not work in 2017.<ref name=tf>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/03/triple-frontier-movie-ben-affleck-oscar-isaac-pedro-pascal-charlie-hunnam-garrett-hedlund-adria-arjona-jc-chandor-netflix-1202345230/|title='Triple Frontier' Finally Going: Affleck, Isaac, Pascal, Hunnam, Hedlund, Arjona In JC Chandor's Lineup|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=March 19, 2018|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=March 26, 2018|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324191245/https://deadline.com/2018/03/triple-frontier-movie-ben-affleck-oscar-isaac-pedro-pascal-charlie-hunnam-garrett-hedlund-adria-arjona-jc-chandor-netflix-1202345230/|archive-date=March 24, 2018}}</ref> He stepped down as director, writer and, ultimately, as the star of ''[[The Batman (film)|The Batman]]'',<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/ |title=Ben Affleck Will Not Direct 'The Batman' (EXCLUSIVE) |work=Variety |first=Justin |last=Kroll |date=January 30, 2017 |access-date=January 30, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170131021051/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/ben-affleck-the-batman-will-not-direct-1201971566/ |archive-date=January 31, 2017}}</ref> saying he "couldn't crack it"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sippell|first=Margeaux|date=February 15, 2019|title=Ben Affleck Explains Why He's Done Playing Batman: 'I Couldn't Crack It'|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/ben-affleck-leaving-batman-explanation-1203141328/|access-date=July 3, 2020|website=Variety|language=en|archive-date=August 21, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051551/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/ben-affleck-leaving-batman-explanation-1203141328/|url-status=live}}</ref> and no longer felt "passionate" about the story.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck on the pain and catharsis of 'The Way Back' |url=https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-basketball-movies-celebrities-9b204efedba90768b43ff2655d5955e3 |access-date=May 16, 2021 |work=AP NEWS |date=April 20, 2021 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808013244/https://apnews.com/article/us-news-ap-top-news-basketball-movies-celebrities-9b204efedba90768b43ff2655d5955e3 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Barnes |first1=Brooks |title=Ben Affleck Tried to Drink Away the Pain. Now He's Trying Honesty. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/movies/ben-affleck.html |access-date=December 2, 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=February 18, 2020 |archive-date=February 21, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200221004501/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/18/movies/ben-affleck.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Filming of&nbsp;the drug-trafficking thriller ''[[Triple Frontier (film)|Triple Frontier]]'' was postponed by six months in order to accommodate his treatment for "health issues".<ref>{{Cite news |title=Ben Affleck's 'Health Issues' Delayed Triple Frontier by 6 Months, Says Director: 'Was Worth It' |url=https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-health-issues-delayed-triple-frontier-director/ |access-date=March 15, 2019 |work=People |language=en |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808015745/https://people.com/movies/ben-affleck-health-issues-delayed-triple-frontier-director/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name=tf /> Upon ''Triple Frontier''{{'s}} release in 2019, Rodrigo Perez of ''The Playlist'' remarked that director [[J.C. Chandor]] "gets a lot of mileage out of the Sad Affleck narrative and perhaps both director and actor lean into the idea."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Rodrigo |title='Triple Frontier': J.C. Chandor Crafts A Tense Jungle Action Thriller About The Cost Of Greed [Review] |url=https://theplaylist.net/triple-frontier-review-20190308/ |access-date=August 3, 2019 |work=theplaylist.net |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808020544/https://theplaylist.net/triple-frontier-review-20190308/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later in 2019, Affleck made a cameo appearance in ''[[Jay and Silent Bob Reboot]]'', having had little contact with Kevin Smith since the making of ''Clerks II'' in 2006.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stern |first1=Marlow |title=Kevin Smith's Marijuanaissance: On 'Tusk,' 'Falling Out' with Ben Affleck, and 20 Years of 'Clerks' |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/09/kevin-smith-s-marijuanaissance-on-tusk-falling-out-with-ben-affleck-and-20-years-of-clerks.html |newspaper=The Daily Beast |access-date=April 15, 2017 |date=September 9, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161225141228/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/09/09/kevin-smith-s-marijuanaissance-on-tusk-falling-out-with-ben-affleck-and-20-years-of-clerks.html |archive-date=December 25, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Smith On Reuniting With Ben Affleck, Being Proud Of His Daughter |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QX0325n7O6Q | archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211114/QX0325n7O6Q| archive-date=November 14, 2021 | url-status=live|website=ET Canada |access-date=August 2, 2019 |language=en}}{{Cbignore}}</ref> Affleck played a supporting role as a diplomat in [[Dee Rees]]'s political thriller ''[[The Last Thing He Wanted (film)|The Last Thing He Wanted]]'' (2020). The [[Netflix]] movie, filmed in mid-2018, received negative reviews from critics,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Last Thing He Wanted (2020)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_thing_he_wanted|website=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=February 11, 2020|archive-date=August 2, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200802222305/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_last_thing_he_wanted|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/video/the-last-thing-he-wanted-anne-hathaway-dee-rees-rosie-perez-edi-gathegi-sundance-joan-didion/|title='The Last Thing He Wanted': Anne Hathaway Talks Being "Too Sweet" For Dee Rees's Adaptation Of Joan Didion's Novel – Sundance Studio|website=Deadline Hollywood|first=Dino-Ray|last=Ramos|date=January 28, 2020|access-date=February 11, 2020|archive-date=February 19, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200219190402/https://deadline.com/video/the-last-thing-he-wanted-anne-hathaway-dee-rees-rosie-perez-edi-gathegi-sundance-joan-didion/|url-status=live}}</ref> with Tomris Laffly of ''Variety'' describing Affleck's performance as "oddly removed".<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Laffly |first1=Tomris |title='The Last Thing He Wanted': Film Review |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-last-thing-he-wanted-review-1203483526/ |work=Variety |date=January 28, 2020 |language=en |access-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-date=August 8, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808033501/https://variety.com/2020/film/reviews/the-last-thing-he-wanted-review-1203483526/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

Affleck's starring role as a recovering alcoholic in the sports drama ''[[The Way Back (2020 film)|The Way Back]]'' (2020) was widely praised.<ref>{{Cite news |title=The Way Back (2020) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_way_back_2020/ |access-date=March 7, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 7, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200307020101/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_way_back_2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> The themes of the movie were "close to home" for Affleck.<ref name=news.com.au>{{Cite news |title=Truth behind infamous 2018 Ben Affleck photos |url=https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/truth-behind-infamous-2018-ben-affleck-photos/news-story/6492d4b17a68b4ffcddefeedc38c10c8 |access-date=February 26, 2020 |work=NewsComAu |date=February 25, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810011039/https://www.news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity-life/truth-behind-infamous-2018-ben-affleck-photos/news-story/6492d4b17a68b4ffcddefeedc38c10c8 |url-status=live }}</ref> He relapsed during pre-production in 2018<ref name=news.com.au/> and the movie was shot in the days after he left rehab; Affleck agreed to put his salary in escrow and was accompanied to set by a sober coach.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thompson |first1=Gary |title=This Penn grad directed Ben Affleck's new 'The Way Back,' but don't expect him to read about it on TMZ |url=https://www.inquirer.com/arts/ben-affleck-the-way-back-movie-gavin-o-connor-director-20200301.html |access-date=March 1, 2020 |work=inquirer.com |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809180834/https://www.inquirer.com/arts/ben-affleck-the-way-back-movie-gavin-o-connor-director-20200301.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Richard Lawson of ''Vanity Fair'' said it was hard to avoid the movie's "meta angle": "Affleck handles his self-conscious task with a generous humility—giving a performance built not out of histrionics or big actor moments, but instead from the messy details of a man in a plateaued distress".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last1=Lawson |first1=Richard |title=Review: Ben Affleck Saves Himself in The Way Back |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/ben-affleck-the-way-back-movie-basketball-review |access-date=March 4, 2020 |magazine=Vanity Fair |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810014457/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2020/03/ben-affleck-the-way-back-movie-basketball-review |url-status=live }}</ref> David Sims of ''The Atlantic'' praised the "subtlety", "vulnerability" and "lumbering physicality" of his performance, describing it as "the rawest and most natural" work of his career.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sims |first1=David |title=Ben Affleck Gives the Performance of His Career |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/03/ben-affleck-and-way-back/607537/ |access-date=March 7, 2020 |work=The Atlantic |date=March 7, 2020 |archive-date=August 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220809024452/https://www.theatlantic.com/culture/archive/2020/03/ben-affleck-and-way-back/607537/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Due to the [[COVID-19 pandemic]], cinemas closed in the second week of the movie's release and Warner Bros. made it available to view-on-demand earlier than scheduled.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Ben Affleck Drama 'The Way Back' Heads Into Homes As Theaters Close |url=https://deadline.com/2020/03/ben-affleck-the-way-back-home-home-release-coronavirus-1202888121/ |access-date=March 20, 2020 |work=Deadline |date=March 19, 2020 |language=en |archive-date=March 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200320004117/https://deadline.com/2020/03/ben-affleck-the-way-back-home-home-release-coronavirus-1202888121/ |url-status=live }}</ref> He received a Best Actor nomination at the [[26th Critics' Choice Awards|2021 Critics' Choice Awards]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/critics-choice-awards-2021-winners|title=Critics' Choice Awards 2021: All The Winners In Full|first=Emma|last=Specter|date=March 8, 2021|work=Vogue|access-date=March 31, 2021|archive-date=April 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413173932/https://www.vogue.co.uk/news/article/critics-choice-awards-2021-winners|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2021, Snyder's [[Zack Snyder's Justice League|director's cut of ''Justice League'']] featured a newly filmed scene with Affleck.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Sharf |first1=Zack |title=Ben Affleck, Jared Leto Were Never on Set Together to Film the One New 'Justice League' Scene |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/ben-affleck-jared-leto-justice-league-scene-filmed-separately-1234624531/ |access-date=June 5, 2021 |work=IndieWire |date=March 18, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=August 10, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220810031008/https://www.indiewire.com/2021/03/ben-affleck-jared-leto-justice-league-scene-filmed-separately-1234624531/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===2020–present: Supporting roles and Artists Equity===
Affleck had supporting roles in two 2021 releases.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/ben-affleck-cover-story-tender-bar-matt-damon/|title=Ben Affleck, at the top of his game|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Leah|last=Greenblatt|date=January 11, 2022|access-date=May 31, 2022|archive-date=August 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811010659/https://ew.com/movies/ben-affleck-cover-story-tender-bar-matt-damon/|url-status=live}}</ref> He played [[Peter II, Count of Alençon]], a hedonistic aristocrat in [[Ridley Scott]]'s medieval drama ''[[The Last Duel (2021 film)|The Last Duel]]''; he also co-wrote the movie's screenplay with Damon and [[Nicole Holofcener]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kroll |first=Justin |title=Adam Driver in Talks to Join Matt Damon in Ridley Scott's 'Last Duel' (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/adam-driver-ridley-scott-last-duel-matt-damon-1203365229/ |access-date=November 6, 2019 |work=Variety |date=October 22, 2019 |language=en |archive-date=December 13, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191213064429/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/adam-driver-ridley-scott-last-duel-matt-damon-1203365229/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=D'Alessandro |first1=Anthony |title=Disney's Day-And-Date 'Black Widow' & 'Cruella' Decision Creates Aftershock In Industry Aching For Box Office Normalcy |url=https://deadline.com/2021/03/black-widow-release-date-cruella-disney-plus-box-office-impact-1234720390/ |access-date=March 31, 2021 |work=Deadline |date=March 24, 2021 |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816021207/https://deadline.com/2021/03/black-widow-release-date-cruella-disney-plus-box-office-impact-1234720390/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Bilge Ebiri of ''New York Magazine'' was impressed by Affleck's "imperious" performance as the "wonderfully skeezy Pierre, a marvelously out-there creation who shouldn't work at all and yet becomes an engine of uneasy delights."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Ebiri |first1=Bilge |title=The Last Duel Is a Bro-Down Epic With a Metal Heart |url=https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-the-last-duel-with-matt-damon-and-ben-affleck.html |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=Vulture |date=October 15, 2021 |language=en-us |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816033052/https://www.vulture.com/article/movie-review-the-last-duel-with-matt-damon-and-ben-affleck.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Brian Truitt of ''USA Today'' said he "steals the movie": "He seems to have written the most entertaining character in the movie for himself, but we'll allow it."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Truitt |first1=Brian |title=Review: 'The Last Duel' is dude-filled drama that doesn't do enough with its female perspective |url=https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/10/12/the-last-duel-review-matt-damon-adam-driver-jodie-comer/6096851001/ |access-date=October 12, 2021 |work=USA Today |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816034709/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2021/10/12/the-last-duel-review-matt-damon-adam-driver-jodie-comer/6096851001/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Later that year, Affleck appeared as a substitute father figure in [[George Clooney]]'s coming-of-age drama ''[[The Tender Bar (film)|The Tender Bar]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Ben Affleck To Star In George Clooney-Directed 'The Tender Bar' Adaptation For Amazon |url=https://deadline.com/2020/12/tender-bar-ben-affleck-george-clooney-1234635156/ |access-date=December 11, 2020 |work=Deadline |date=December 9, 2020 |archive-date=December 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201209220124/https://deadline.com/2020/12/tender-bar-ben-affleck-george-clooney-1234635156/ |url-status=live }}</ref> The film premiered at the London Film Festival, with Clooney remarking that he cast Affleck because he is "very intelligent, and he can also come off as the big goomba."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=George Clooney & Grant Heslov On Their Coming Of Age Tale 'The Tender Bar,' And The State Of Film As Hollywood Struggles To Lift Out Of A Pandemic |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/george-clooney-grant-heslov-the-tender-bar-state-of-moviemaking-covid-trump-exclusive-interview-1234853494/ |access-date=October 16, 2021 |work=Deadline |date=October 10, 2021 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020164059/https://deadline.com/2021/10/george-clooney-grant-heslov-the-tender-bar-state-of-moviemaking-covid-trump-exclusive-interview-1234853494/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Pete Hammond of ''Deadline'' described it as "a part he was born to play", writing that he "beautifully and knowingly" delivered "an unforgettable portrait of the uncle you wish you had."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Hammond |first1=Pete |title='The Tender Bar' London Film Festival Review: Ben Affleck And George Clooney Team For A Warm And Memorable Story All About Family |url=https://deadline.com/2021/10/the-tender-bar-london-film-festival-review-ben-affleck-george-clooney-1234853624/ |access-date=October 11, 2021 |work=Deadline |date=October 10, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814153345/https://deadline.com/2021/10/the-tender-bar-london-film-festival-review-ben-affleck-george-clooney-1234853624/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Kevin Maher of ''The Times'' said he played the role with "extraordinary subtly and depth": "He dominates his every scene, with deftly delivered quips, comedy reaction shots or sheer hang-dog charisma alone."<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Maher |first1=Kevin |title=The Tender Bar review – Affleck lights up dull collection of vignettes |work=[[The Times]] |date=October 11, 2021 |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/theatre-dance/article/the-tender-bar-film-review-sg2rgc3xc |access-date=October 11, 2021 |archive-date=August 14, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220814203145/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/the-tender-bar-film-review-sg2rgc3xc |url-status=live }}</ref> For the role, Affleck was nominated for the [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe Award]] and [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role|Screen Actors Guild Award]] for Best Supporting Actor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/golden-globe-winners-list-movie-tv-awards-1234907035/|title=Golden Globes: ''The Power Of The Dog'', ''West Side Story'', ''Succession'' Lead Way – Complete Winners List|date=January 9, 2022|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=January 10, 2022|archive-date=January 10, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220110093216/https://deadline.com/2022/01/golden-globe-winners-list-movie-tv-awards-1234907035/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title=SAG Awards Nominations: 'House Of Gucci', 'Power Of The Dog', 'Succession', 'Ted Lasso' Top Lists |url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/sag-awards-nominations-2020-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1234908756/ |website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=January 13, 2022 |date=January 12, 2022 |archive-date=January 19, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220119044627/https://deadline.com/2022/01/sag-awards-nominations-2020-list-film-tv-nominees-screen-actors-guild-1234908756/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In 2022, Affleck and [[Ana de Armas]] starred in [[Adrian Lyne]]'s thriller ''[[Deep Water (2022 film)|Deep Water]]'', an adaptation of [[Deep Water (Highsmith novel)|Patricia Highsmith's novel]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike |title=New Regency Bringing Adrian Lyne Back To Directing With 'Deep Water;' Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas In Talks For Patricia Highsmith Adaptation |url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/adrian-lyne-deep-water-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-patricia-highsmith-adaptation-new-regency-1202658671/ |access-date=November 6, 2019 |work=Deadline |date=August 1, 2019 |archive-date=November 12, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191112060505/https://deadline.com/2019/08/adrian-lyne-deep-water-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-patricia-highsmith-adaptation-new-regency-1202658671/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released on streaming service Hulu and received largely negative reviews.<ref>{{cite news |title=Deep Water - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deep_water_2022 |access-date=March 17, 2023 |work=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en |archive-date=March 18, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220318032625/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/deep_water_2022 |url-status=live }}</ref> Justin Chang of the ''Los Angeles Times'' said Affleck "excels at playing the emasculated dreamboat, the golden boy gone to seed."<ref>{{cite news |title=Review: 'Deep Water,' an erotic thriller with Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas, runs hot and cold |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-16/deep-water-review-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-adrian-lyne-hulu |access-date=March 17, 2023 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 16, 2022 |archive-date=August 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240821051552/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2022-03-16/deep-water-review-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-adrian-lyne-hulu |url-status=live }}</ref> Adam Nayman of ''The Ringer'' said the film "serves as an example of his formidable skill set within a very specific range": "What used to seem like the callow cockiness of a handsome front-runner has hardened—and deepened—into a kind of grizzled charisma, the gravitas of a frat boy facing down his own expiration date."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nayman |first1=Adam |title=If Only 'Deep Water' Had a Satisfying Climax |url=https://www.theringer.com/2022/3/18/22984585/deep-water-review-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-erotic-thriller |access-date=March 17, 2023 |work=The Ringer |date=March 18, 2022 |language=en |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328015130/https://www.theringer.com/2022/3/18/22984585/deep-water-review-ben-affleck-ana-de-armas-erotic-thriller |url-status=live }}</ref> He also made a cameo appearance in Smith's ''[[Clerks III]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CgCoWLNFtOp/ |access-date=August 9, 2022 |work=www.instagram.com |archive-date=August 17, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220817024252/https://www.instagram.com/p/CgCoWLNFtOp/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Davids|first=Brian|title='Clerks III' Filmmaker Kevin Smith Talks Phase Two of His Ben Affleck Friendship and His 'Mallrats 2' Dreams|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/clerks-3-kevin-smith-talks-revived-ben-affleck-friendship-1235215233/|access-date=September 9, 2022|magazine=Hollywood Reporter|date=September 9, 2022|language=en-us|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909164235/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/clerks-3-kevin-smith-talks-revived-ben-affleck-friendship-1235215233/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Affleck's fifth directorial project, ''[[Air (2023 American film)|Air]]'', about [[Nike, Inc.|Nike]]'s creation of the [[Air Jordan]], premiered in 2023 and was well-reviewed.<ref>{{cite news|last=Willis|first=Kim|title=Ben Affleck's Michael Jordan biopic 'Air' gets raves at SXSW: 'Best movie of the year'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/03/19/ben-affleck-matt-damon-air-michael-jordan-movie-sxsw/11504425002/|work=USA Today|date=March 19, 2023|access-date=March 24, 2023|archive-date=March 23, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323092938/https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/movies/2023/03/19/ben-affleck-matt-damon-air-michael-jordan-movie-sxsw/11504425002/|url-status=live}}</ref> The movie starred [[Matt Damon]] and [[Viola Davis]], with Affleck playing a supporting role as [[Phil Knight]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Giardina |first1=Carolyn |title=ARRI Launches New Alexa 35 Motion Picture Camera With First Productions Underway |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/arri-alexa-35-motion-picture-camera-1235156763/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 5, 2022 |date=June 1, 2022 |archive-date=October 5, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005231813/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/arri-alexa-35-motion-picture-camera-1235156763/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Littleton |first1=Cynthia |title=Ben Affleck, Matt Damon Set Artists Equity Studio Launch with RedBird Capital Partners |url=https://variety.com/2022/biz/news/ben-affleck-matt-damon-artists-equity-redbird-gerry-cardinale-1235438192/ |website=Variety |access-date=November 20, 2022 |date=November 26, 2022 |archive-date=December 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221202150717/https://variety.com/2022/biz/news/ben-affleck-matt-damon-artists-equity-redbird-gerry-cardinale-1235438192/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Grobar |first1=Matt |title=Ben Affleck To Direct Nike Drama For Amazon, Skydance Sports; Will Star Alongside Matt Damon |url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/ben-affleck-matt-damon-to-star-in-nike-drama-for-amazon-affleck-directing-1235006179/ |website=Deadline |date=April 19, 2022 |access-date=June 5, 2022 |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816174255/https://deadline.com/2022/04/ben-affleck-matt-damon-to-star-in-nike-drama-for-amazon-affleck-directing-1235006179/ |url-status=live }}</ref> It marked the first release from Affleck and Damon's independent production company [[Artists Equity]], which aims to share profits with all stakeholders. Affleck serves as the company's CEO and intends to work exclusively for Artists Equity as a filmmaker.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Barnes|first=Brooks|title=Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Start Film Production Company|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/media/ben-affleck-matt-damon-film-company.html|access-date=November 21, 2022|magazine=The New York Times|date=November 20, 2022|language=en-us|archive-date=November 21, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121001744/https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/20/business/media/ben-affleck-matt-damon-film-company.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Zilko|first=Christian|title=Ben Affleck and Matt Damon to Start Film Production Company|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/ben-affleck-matt-damon-launch-production-company-artists-equity-1234784373/|access-date=November 21, 2022|magazine=IndieWire|date=November 20, 2022|language=en-us|archive-date=November 20, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120233131/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/11/ben-affleck-matt-damon-launch-production-company-artists-equity-1234784373/|url-status=live}}</ref> In a review of ''Air'' for ''The Ringer'', Adam Nayman wrote: "Affleck isn’t a masterful filmmaker—or a subversive one—but he has a gift for pacing and working with actors ... He and Damon spend most of the time pumping each other up, and the chemistry between them is undeniable. Damon carries the movie, and Affleck adorns it." Also in 2023, Affleck starred as a detective in [[Robert Rodriguez]]'s action thriller ''[[Hypnotic (2023 film)|Hypnotic]]''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wiseman |first1=Andreas |title=Robert Rodriguez & Ben Affleck's 'Hypnotic' Gets May Release Date Following Surprise SXSW "Work In Progress" Screening |url=https://deadline.com/2023/03/ben-affleck-robert-rodriguez-hypnotic-release-date-sxsw-screening-1235298193/ |website=Deadline |access-date=March 17, 2023 |date=March 17, 2023 |archive-date=March 17, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230317175502/https://deadline.com/2023/03/ben-affleck-robert-rodriguez-hypnotic-release-date-sxsw-screening-1235298193/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and made a cameo appearance as Batman in the film ''[[The Flash (film)|The Flash]]''.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Malkin|first=Marc|title=Ben Affleck Says He Had 'Fun' Playing Batman in 'The Flash' After 'Justice League' Was 'Difficult' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ben-affleck-batman-the-flash-justice-league-1235080171/|access-date=October 4, 2021|magazine=Variety|date=January 5, 2023|language=en-us|archive-date=February 27, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220227165218/https://variety.com/2021/film/news/ben-affleck-batman-the-flash-justice-league-1235080171/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2025, Affleck starred in the action thriller ''[[The Accountant 2]]''. He has two Netflix films in post-production. He directed and starred opposite opposite [[Gillian Anderson]] in the kidnapping thriller ''[[Animals (upcoming film)|Animals]]''<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Justin |title=Ben Affleck To Direct & Star In Kidnapping Thriller ‘Animals’ For Netflix, Artists Equity, Fifth Season And Makeready; Gillian Anderson Also On Board |url=https://deadline.com/2025/02/ben-affleck-animals-gillian-anderson-1236279135/ |website=Deadline |date=5 February 2025}}</ref> while he and Damon will star as police officers in the crime thriller ''[[RIP (film)|The Rip]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Let ’Em RIP: Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Are Teaming Up |url=https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/rip-ben-affleck-matt-damon-release-date-photos-news |website=Netflix Tudum |language=en}}</ref>