Ben Affleck has recently addressed a long-standing query regarding his shower scene in the 2014 psychological thriller *Gone Girl*, while also expressing admiration for director David Fincher, whom he describes as a significant influence on his career.
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In an interview with Variety, Affleck, 54, set the record straight about whether he wore a prosthetic during the film’s iconic shower sequence alongside Rosamund Pike. “I wore no prosthesis,” he clarified, debunking years of speculation regarding that particular moment. “I’ve only worn one in one film, *Hollywoodland*. It was a nose,” he continued, dismissing any further questions about alterations for the role.
*Gone Girl*, based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, features Affleck as Nick Dunne, a man who becomes embroiled in a media frenzy following the mysterious disappearance of his wife, Amy Dunne, portrayed by Pike. The film was lauded for its gripping narrative and directorial brilliance under Fincher’s guidance.
Affleck has shared that he appreciated Fincher’s approach to their collaboration, especially in managing the atmosphere on set. At the 2014 Hollywood Film Awards, while accepting an acknowledgment for his performance, he jested about Fincher’s assurances concerning the filming of the shower scene, stating, “David assured me — because trust is essential with directors and actors — ‘If we tilt down, we’ll never go far enough to see anything.’” He added a humorous touch regarding the filming conditions, saying, “If you’re gonna have one chance for America to see your junk, you want it to be cold.”
Reflecting on his career, Affleck has continued to express admiration for Fincher. In a recent interview with Letterboxd, he called the opportunity to work with him “the great privilege of my life.” He extolled Fincher as one of the greatest filmmakers, lauding his creative vision: “He really is one of these few people who has the taste of an artist and the mind of an engineer. Those things don’t typically seem to come together.”
Currently, Affleck is stepping behind the camera as he directs and stars in *Animals*, which is now showing in select cinemas ahead of its release on Netflix on October 9. The film, a thriller which he co-wrote with Connor O. McIntyre and Billy Ray, sees him portray a mayoral candidate in Los Angeles whose son is kidnapped by unknown assailants.
*Animals* features a diverse cast, including Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun, Gillian Anderson, and Ray Fisher, among others. This project marks another directing outing for Affleck, who has helmed five films previously.
In a recent discussion at Bloomberg’s Screentime Event, Affleck also touched on his use of artificial intelligence in the production of *Animals*, revealing he implemented AI in various aspects of the film. However, he maintained a degree of secrecy about its specific applications, stating, “I’m a little bit hesitant to point out what they are — or even talk about it — because in my business, we’re trying to foster the illusion of reality.”
He compared discussing the techniques to a magician revealing the mechanics behind a trick: “It’s sort of like if you went to a magic show and the magician walked out and said, ‘Just before I start, I want you to know there’s another bunny under here.’”
Affleck describes *Animals* as “a very human movie,” emphasizing its ethical use of technology. As audiences await its streaming release on Netflix, his reflections on Fincher, the evolution of his craft, and the integration of new technologies signal an exciting new chapter in his career.