Ben Affleck Reflects on Bruce Willis's Surprising Career Advice
A Glimpse into Affleck's Early Days
Ben Affleck recently opened up about his early career experiences, particularly some unexpected advice he received from Bruce Willis, his co-star in the 1998 film Armageddon. During his guest appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Affleck shared anecdotes from their time on set.
One notable moment arose when Affleck was contemplating a role in the romantic comedy Shakespeare in Love. Willis expressed doubts about the film, advising Affleck to decline the opportunity. Looking back, Affleck recognized that Willis's judgment was misguided, although he understood the reasoning behind the caution.
Willis's Concerns About the Film
Willis’s Critique of the Script and Performance
Affleck recounted Willis's words: “Man, don’t go do that Shakespeare movie, man. You don’t want to do that movie.” Ironically, Shakespeare in Love went on to achieve both critical acclaim and commercial success, ultimately winning the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1999. Affleck pointed out that Willis had not read the script before making his assessment, highlighting the humor in the situation.
Personal Insights from Willis
Reflecting on a Professional Bond
In addition to discussing the film, Willis also offered Affleck some personal advice regarding his vocal tone. Affleck shared that Willis remarked his voice was “too high,” which left him puzzled. When Affleck questioned this feedback, noting it was simply his natural voice, Willis insisted he was trying to help, saying, “You don’t want to sound like that, man! I’m helping you out!”
Despite the unconventional nature of the advice, Affleck fondly remembered his interactions with the Die Hard star, describing him as “the sweetest guy in the world.” He viewed Willis's comments as sincere, albeit quirky, attempts at mentorship during their collaboration. In Shakespeare in Love, directed by John Madden, Affleck portrayed Ned Alleyn alongside a talented cast, including Joseph Fiennes and Gwyneth Paltrow, in a narrative centered around a fictional romance involving William Shakespeare.