Revisiting Matt Damon and Ben Affleck's past collabs as they gear up for 'Air', their ninth film together
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: While Hollywood is not an easy turf to navigate, the journey certainly becomes easier when you bring your childhood friends along. The friendship of Ben Affleck, 50 and Matt Damon, 52, one of the most loved and long-lasting ones in Hollywood. Their 'chemistry' is still strong as they get set for their ninth film together. Affleck and Damon - who have been friends since they were school-going children in Cambridge, Massachusetts - are all set to celebrate the release of the Affleck-directed venture ‘Air’ in April.
In 2021, Affleck said in an interview with E! News, "I grew up with this guy, I've known him forever. We're from the same world and place, and stayed close and I often think about people who come into this business and there's some challenges that get thrown at you," before their last collaboration in Ridley Scott’s ‘The Last Duel’.
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Starting their careers as two struggling actors to receiving Oscars in their mid-20s, the duo has seen it all. As they are gearing up for their ninth release this April, let’s have a look at their previous collaborations.
Field of Dreams (1989)
While ‘Field of Dreams’ marks their first venture together, the two Hollywood heartthrobs were still teenagers back then. They were casted as extras in the Fenway Park, to which Damon said once in an interview with Dan Patrick in 2021, "We were extras in 'Field of Dreams.' I bet there were probably 3,000 extras in a big crowd scene when Kevin Costner and James Earl Jones are at the baseball game." He also said that they agreed to be a part of this movie, “just to go to Fenway”.
School Ties (1992)
Just out of school themselves, the two actors then starred in a period teen drama ‘School Ties’ which also featured Academy Oscar winner Brendan Fraser alongside. While Fraser portrays David Greene, a Jewish high school student who receives an athletic scholarship to a prep school, Damon plays Dillon, the primary foe of David. He suffers because the majority of the students and faculty there are anti-Semites. Affleck portrays Chesty Smith.
Good Will Hunting (1997)
The breakthrough movie in both Damon and Affleck’s career was 'Good Will Hunting'. Now considered one of the classics, the film won them Oscars and Golden Globe for Best Screenplay. Damon essayed the role of a reclusive genius who works as a janitor in MIT. When he is 'discovered' after he solves a complex maths equation, he is introduced to Dr Sean Maguire (played by Robin Williams) who helps him heal from his traumas and better deal with the 'burden' of his genius. Affleck essayed the role of Chuckie Sullivan, a friend of Will’s. Damon started writing the script of the movie as a part of assignment while he was a student of English Literature at Harvard University.
Chasing Amy (1997)
The third film in the ‘View Askewniverse’ universe created by Smith in 1994, ‘Chasing Amy,’ had Ben Affleck star as Holden McNeil, who hopelessly falls in love with a girl named Alyssa Jones who turns out to be a lesbian. Heartbroken Holden is then counseled by Silent Bob (played by Kevin Smith) who said he too had a similar relationship with a girl called Amy. Damon essayed the role of a corporate executive who is worried for his friend Holden's 'entanglement' with Amy.
Dogma (1999)
The fourth film of the ‘View Askewniverse’ series centers on two expelled demons who want to use a supposed gap in Catholic doctrine to return to Heaven after being banished by God. However, because existence is predicated on the idea that God is infallible, their success would disprove God's infallibility, which would destroy all of creation. The seraph Metatron sends the final scion and two prophets to halt them. While Affleck plays the role of fallen angel Bartleby, Damon plays Loki. Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith reprised their roles as Jay and Silent Bob.
‘Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back’ (2001)
In the fifth movie of the same universe, Jay and Silent Bob take the center stage here. This movie had the actors reprise their roles from the past four movies of the universe. Affleck appeared as himself, Chuckie Sullivan from ‘Good Will Hunting’ and Holden McNeil from ‘Chasing Amy’. Damon essayed the role of Will Hunting from ‘Good Will Hunting’ and himself.
‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’ (2019)
Almost after two decades, the two friends reunited again to star in the ‘View Askewniverse’ movie ‘Jay and Silent Bob Reboot’ where Affleck reprised the character of Holden McNeil, Damon reprised the role of Loki, with ample references from Damon’s ‘Jason Bourne’ franchise.
‘The Last Duel’ (2021)
The Ridley Scott directorial venture marked the pair's debut in a period drama together. Damon portrays Sir Jean de Carrouges, a member of the French aristocracy eager to establish himself in the society. He marries Marguerite de Carrouges (played by Jodie Comer), but he is a careless spouse who is primarily preoccupied with winning the favor of his liege lord, Count Pierre d'Alençon. (Affleck). When Sir Jean is away, Marguerite suspects Jacques Le Gris, who is portrayed by Adam Driver, of raping her. The film is narrated from the perspectives of Sir Jean, Jacques, and Marguerite and ends with the titular duel and its results.
‘Air’ (2023)
‘Air’ marks the pair’s ninth collaboration which will also see Affleck don the director’s hat. The movie is based on the tale how Nike created an empire out of the shoe line ‘Air Jordan’ where Affleck will be essaying the role of Nike founder Phil Knight and Damon plays the role of Sonny Vaccaro who plays a major role in the brand’s signing of the rookie basketball player Michael Jordan. The film also has Viola Davis portraying the role of Jordan’s mother. The film is slated for release on April 5, 2023 in the USA.
