Although Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez have recently been in conversation allegedly about their troubled marriage, they once made headlines for being one of the most popular couples in Hollywood, especially after showcasing their chemistry in the romantic crime drama, Gigli. Despite the couple being sensational at the time, the film failed at the box office and was heavily panned by critics.
However, despite its devastating box office reception and critical failure, the actor has no regrets about the film, not only because he met Lopez while filming the movie, but also because it prompted a significant shift in his career trajectory.
Ben Affleck Has no Regrets Regarding the Disappointing Film Gigli
In a conversation with his friend and fellow actor Matt Damon for Entertainment Weekly, Ben Affleck reflected on the disappointing 2003 film Gigli while acknowledging its role in steering him toward what he considers the true passion of his professional career.
He shared that he signed the film out of his admiration for Martin Brest. However, his budding relationship with his co-star, Jennifer Lopez, heavily impacted the movie, as the studio was over-enthusiastic about their romance, believing that it would draw audiences.
Despite the film’s lackluster reception, the actor still found a silver lining, noting that he wouldn’t have been able to realize his interest and talent for directing if it were not for the failure of the 2003 romantic comedy film. He shared,
If the reaction to Gigli hadn’t happened, I probably wouldn’t have ultimately decided, ‘I don’t really have any other avenue but to direct movies,’ which has turned out to be the real love of my professional life.
“So in those ways, it’s a gift,” he said before adding, “And I did get to meet Jennifer.” Following Gigli, Affleck transitioned to directing, marking his directorial debut with Gone Baby Gone and subsequently helming other successful films such as The Town and Argo.
Ben Affleck’s Career Evolution from Actor to Director
Directed by Martin Brest, the 2003 film follows a hitman, Larry Gigli, who is hired to kidnap the brother of an influential federal prosecutor, which spirals into chaos after another assassin is hired to track him.
It has since become one of the worst films of Affleck’s career, with a dismal 6% critic score and only $7.1 million in box office earnings. And it was also not followed by the best of his work as an actor with his subsequent films receiving disappointing reviews such as Surviving Christmas and Jersey Girl.
After multiple disappointing acting ventures, he decided to pivot towards filmmaking. Ben Affleck would go on to make his directorial debut with the 2007 film Gone Baby Gone, the film received positive reviews from critics and even earned an Oscar nomination for actress Amy Ryan.
Following the success of Gone Baby Gone, Affleck has pursued his passion for direction, along with making subsequent silver screen appearances. He has earned critical acclaim for his work on films like The Town, Argo, and Air.
The Oscar-winning filmmaker has multiple projects lined up including a film titled Animals, which would reportedly star Matt Damon under Affleck’s direction. No further details about the film are available yet.
Gigli is available to stream on Prime Video.
