Ben Affleck’s done a lot in Hollywood, you know? He’s been in all sorts of movies, from those big action flicks to the tear-jerker dramas. But when the 51-year-old dipped his toes into horror with Phantoms back in ’98, it didn’t quite hit the mark.
The movie just couldn’t grab people’s attention, making less than 10 million bucks at the box office. Even though it had a cool idea and Affleck’s star power, Phantoms just didn’t live up to the hype, ending up as one of those forgettable horror flicks. It’s kinda curious why folks didn’t vibe with it and what it says about the actor’s career in movies.
Ben Affleck’s Sole Horror Movie Outing Was a Complete Flop
Ben Affleck tried his hand at horror, and let’s just say it didn’t end well. Yep, the guy who’s been in some epic movies also has a few stinkers under his belt. And nope, we’re not talking about any other movie this time. We’re talking about Phantoms.
If you’ve never heard of it, you’re not missing much. It’s definitely not winning any awards for best horror flick. The movie just felt kinda empty and all over the place, with Affleck and his buddies delivering some pretty unconvincing performances.
So, it’s no shocker that it got slammed with a measly 25% on Rotten Tomatoes and barely made a dent at the box office, raking in just 5.6 million bucks as per The Digital Fix.
Phantoms is based on a book by Dean Koontz, which is way richer in detail and creepiness. But somehow, all that goodness got lost in translation to the screen. They stripped away a lot of what made the book cool, like its depth and nods to authors like HP Lovecraft.
Now, this wasn’t Affleck’s first dance with horror. He had a bit part in the Buffy movie back in ’92. But after the Phantoms debacle, he decided maybe he’s better off behind the camera. He co-produced a monster movie called Feast in 2005, stepping away from the spotlight a bit.
Phantoms ended up being just another forgettable blip in Affleck’s career. It’s a lesson for him, a reminder that not every role is gonna be a home run. But hey, let’s shift gears and see what he’s got cookin’ for us next.
Get Pumped For The Upcoming Netflix Thriller Starring Ben Affleck
Get ready for some excitement because Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are teaming up for a new Netflix thriller called Animals. Affleck is not only starring in it but also directing. The movie’s still pretty hush-hush, with only snippets of info trickling out about what it’s all about and who’s in it.
So here’s the gist: Animals revolves around the son of a dude running for mayor in L.A. (that’s Damon), who gets snatched up. Now, Damon and his partner have to figure out how to cough up the cash before time runs out, and things get even messier as they go along.
We know for sure that Damon’s onboard, and there’s chatter about Jennifer Garner taking on a big role, too. Behind the scenes, Affleck’s got his hands in the producing pot, along with Damon, Dani Bernfeld, Brad Weston, and Collin Creighton. The script’s been cooked up by Connor McIntyre, with some extra seasoning from Billy Ray.
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck Are Reportedly “Getting Awfully Tired” of the Tension Between Their Wives
Right now, Animals is in the early stages, getting all set to start filming in Los Angeles on February 27, 2024. They’re aiming to wrap things up by April 5, 2024, and then it’s onto the editing room.
There is no official release date yet, but with that timeline, we’re probably looking at a Netflix premiere sometime in 2025. So, keep your eyes peeled for this one. It’s gonna be a wild ride!
