As far as Hollywood comedies go, Ben Stiller’s name is synonymous with some of the funniest films in the industry. His unique brand of humor and dialogue delivery has gained him a loyal fan base while also making him one of Hollywood’s A-list stars. Stiller also proved that he is an accomplished director with blockbuster films like Reality Bites, The Cable Guy, and Zoolander.
As is the case with many celebrities in the industry, the Meet the Parents star has also missed out on the opportunity to be part of a few prestigious films, some of which have gone on to attain cult status in Hollywood. In particular, Stiller expressed his deep regret on rejecting the offer to direct the Oscar-winning Good Will Hunting featuring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Ben Stiller Wished He Hadn’t Let Good Will Hunting Slip Away
Sometimes even the most discerning people can have a lapse in judgment. Hollywood star Ben Stiller who is known for many memorable films and characters in his career, had one massive regret regarding a choice he made about a film.
The Night at the Museum star was offered the prestigious opportunity to step in as director for Good Will Hunting, which was based on a screenplay written by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.
Fresh off his successful directorial Reality Bites, Stiller rejected the offer at the time, but ended up rueing this missed chance deeply. In an chat on The Howard Stern Show, the Zoolander actor looked back on his decision and elaborated on his slightly egotistical reasons for not coming on board.
“I got sent it by my agent at the time. The first turn-off was that these two guys who wrote it were attached to it to act in it. I was like, ‘What? Come on. I cast my own projects. I write my own scripts and attach myself to them. Who are these guys?'”
As fate would have it, Good Will Hunting ultimately directed by Gus Van Sant, went on to become a massive hit and gained huge critical acclaim including an Oscar for the screenplay written by Affleck and Damon. More significantly, it catapulted the two actors to superstardom which could have been attributed to Ben Stiller if the celebrity had chosen to helm the film.
Ben Stiller On Expanding His Horizons As A Director
Few people can boast of possessing equal skill as an actor and director, and Ben Stiller is one of them. The funny man of Hollywood proved that he is no one trick pony when it comes to talent by gaining blockbuster fame in both departments.
While comedy has been his safe space that has defined him as an artist, Stiller showed that he was equally adept at channelling emotions with his 2013 film The Secret Life of Walter Mitty which he directed and acted in.
In an exclusive Roundtable chat with prolific directors organized by The Hollywood Reporter, Stiller also spoke candidly about expanding his horizons as a filmmaker which he felt was a very and seamless natural transition for him. Elaborating on the risks of being stereotyped as an artist, he said,
“I’ve had this parallel career as an actor, and I’ve always personally felt more like a director. That’s what I’ve enjoyed the most and what I’ve always wanted to do since I was a kid. Over the years, I felt I started to make a certain kind of movie — comedies — which I love, but I’ve always loved drama, I’ve always loved all different genres.”
The Cable Guy director believed that working on The Secret Life of Walter Mitty gave him the space and freedom to explore various aspects of his personality that ultimately pointed him towards his true calling in Hollywood.
Good Will Hunting is streaming on Netflix.
