Ben Affleck’s regret over his past President Truman was right. He reminisced about his glorious days as a Featured Atmospheric in the 1989 classic, Field of Dreams. Together with his pal Matt Damon, Affleck starred in and co-wrote with Damon the film, featuring Kevin Costner as Affleck’s mentor. While the two fledgling actors earned their keep on set, Affleck said he has no illusions that Costner remembers them being there.
Affleck remembered that he and Damon had a similar hustle to them early on in their careers, before they became mega stars. “We were, you know, serious actors from a very young age,” he stated. Their excitement motivated them to reach out to local casting in Boston when Field of Dreams rolled into town. Thanks to this experience, they were cast as extras in the movie.
In a recent interview, Affleck looked back on the whole experience and how working with Costner continues to influence him today. To which, in perfect comedic timing, he added that Costner has graciously returned their advances by claiming to indeed remember them. He doesn’t really believe that line. “Kevin is being nice to say that he remembers us, because we were definitely not memorable,” Affleck said.
He mused, “We were just being punks, right? It was just so many people. It’s adorable of him to claim that, but I’m almost positive he’s thinking, uh, the people who were speaking or had dialogue, like, in their names.
In a big happy ending, Affleck’s life and career have changed since those days as a bit player. His most recent film, The Accountant 2 opened in theaters last Friday. This new film highlights his previous role on a much grander scale beyond his two-minute cameo in Field of Dreams.
Affleck recounted a memorable batting practice at Fenway Park where he and Costner put on a batting display. Affleck made a comment about how he would have crushed the Green Monster. During lunch at the Intrepid, he commented on the inspiring spirit that was generated by rehearsing in such an iconic and historic venue.
The 007 star even detailed his hilarious back-and-forth with Damon regarding their shared college experience. “Twenty years later, I was looking through an interview of Matt… I was like, ‘Matt are you remembering yourself as Kevin Costner?’” he joked.
Valuable lessons for both Affleck and Damon were learned on the job, Field of Dreams. They agreed that they could do no such thing as underestimate Costner’s skills as an athlete and entertainer. The unity they found in this monumental experience at Fenway became transformational for them. Most important, however, it deepened their appreciation for veteran actors such as Costner and James Earl Jones.
