Ben Affleck is one of the most versatile actors in the industry. He has spread his wings from comedy to superhero films and established himself as one of the best directors in the industry. As much as the actor enjoys playing his characters, the fans also relish his presence on screen. However, due to busy schedules and lifestyles, sometimes many actors lose out on projects that could have had a significant impact on their careers.
Affleck also lost out on some projects that could have taken his career down a different path. And one of those included the 2015 film Focus, starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie.
Ben Affleck Almost Starred in the 2015 Will Smith Film
The 2015 crime comedy-drama, Focus, starring Will Smith and Margot Robbie, follows two con artists, Nicky and Jess, and how they get involved in a romantic relationship while deceiving others. The film received mixed reviews from critics and did pretty well at the box office, grossing over $150 million worldwide.
But they were not the makers’ first choice for the film. The film that led to the alleged affair between Smith and Robbie was first expected to star Ben Affleck. The casting for the movie went through some up-downs as it was expected to feature Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone.
However, after they left the film, Ben Affleck was approached for the lead role. Soon after him, it was reported that Kristen Stewart would join the Justice League star in the 2015 film. However, both actors announced their departure from the film months after their casting.
Why did Ben Affleck Give up on Focus?
Variety reported in 2012 that the Argo star dropped out of the Warner Bros. film due to his busy schedule. Affleck was reportedly occupied with his 2012 film Argo, and he also had lined-up other projects. He was working on his next directorial, Live by Night.
One of his projects also included an adaptation of Stephen King’s The Stand. Warner Bros. appointed him as the director for The Stand in 2011. However, almost two years later, it was announced that he would not be directing the miniseries.
He was also working on a biopic following Boston mobster Whitney Bulger with Matt Damon. But reports suggest that the project faced some issues due to its similarities with Johnny Depp’s Black Mass. But the Interstellar star claimed that their film represented a different take on gangster life.
Filming for Focus was expected to start in April 2012, and Ben Affleck was unable to take out time for the film and the opportunity went to the Suicide Squad co-stars. Soon after him, Stewart also dropped out. Although he wasn’t able to star in the movie, it would have been interesting to see The Town star’s take on the con artist.
Focus is available to stream on HBO Max.
Source: Movieweb
