Ben Affleck fears being canceled amid split from Jennifer Lopez, admits he's 'one errant remark' away
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Ben Affleck opened up about his anxieties in the entertainment industry, candidly admitting that he's "one errant remark away from being canceled."
The actor, who is currently navigating a high-profile divorce from singer Jennifer Lopez, made these confessions during a joint interview with his longtime friend and collaborator, Matt Damon, for Deadline.
Ben Affleck opens up on financial insecurity and career risks
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon were discussing their latest venture, Artists Equity, a production company focused on creating a fairer profit-sharing model in Hollywood.
As Affleck explained, the entertainment industry is notoriously unpredictable, even for seasoned actors like himself.
“We're all subject to this sort of insecurity in this business,” he said, adding, “Whether we're actors, directors, or writers, the phone could stop ringing for us.”
Affleck, whose career has spanned over three decades, acknowledged that he is not immune to the fear of sudden professional downfall.
“This is the only thing I can count on, this upfront money. I don’t know when this might go away,” he confessed.
The 52-year-old actor reflected on the risk of being cancelled or facing career stagnation if a single project fails.
“I'm one movie bomb away from never working again, and I've got a family and so forth,” he said.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's Artists Equity venture
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity aims to change the way profits are distributed within the film industry.
The company is set up to allow artists to invest in their projects, ensuring that profits are shared more fairly rather than just rewarding A-list stars with hefty paychecks, even if the films underperform.
Using his 2003 film 'Gigli' as an example, Affleck reflected on how he once received a significant payday despite the movie's commercial failure.
“I got a big cash payday for that. Well, it doesn’t feel right in retrospect because they [the studio] lost money,” he shared.
He expressed his desire to move away from the old model where only a few benefited financially, often at the expense of the entire production team.
Ben Affleck navigates personal and professional turmoil
Ben Affleck is currently going through his second divorce, with Jennifer Lopez filing for divorce on their second wedding anniversary on August 20.
The actor, who was previously married to actress Jennifer Garner for 13 years, shares three children with her, Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12.
Despite the challenges of another high-profile divorce, Affleck remains hopeful about his future.
According to an insider, he is ready to start dating again, according to Daily Mail.
“Ben has not given up on relationships and finally feels ready to move forward,” said the source, though they added that Affleck is unlikely to pursue anything serious until his current divorce is finalized.
