Editing Ben Affleck (section)

===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>