Entertainment · Film · 2 hrs ago
Ben Affleck says Bruce Willis advised him against Shakespeare in Love
Ben Affleck says Bruce Willis advised him against taking a role in Shakespeare in Love while they were filming Armageddon in 1998.
Willis told him he did not want to make the film, but Affleck took the role of actor Ned Alleyn.
Shakespeare in Love became a critical and box office hit, winning seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Affleck said Willis had not read the script, and also recalled that Willis criticized his naturally high voice.
Affleck still described Willis as a kind person who was trying to help him.
Willis retired from acting in 2022 after an aphasia diagnosis, which was updated to frontotemporal dementia in 2023.
Ben Affleck said Bruce Willis advised him not to take a role in Shakespeare in Love.
Affleck recalled the advice on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, saying it came while they were filming Armageddon.
Affleck took the supporting role of actor Ned Alleyn despite Willis’s warning.
Shakespeare in Love became a critical and box office hit and won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Affleck said Willis had not read the script and described him as a kind person who was trying to help.
- Who
- Ben Affleck said Bruce Willis gave him the advice.
- What
- Willis advised Affleck not to star in Shakespeare in Love. Affleck took the role anyway.
- When
- Willis gave the advice while they were filming Armageddon in 1998.
- Where
- The set of Armageddon. The sources do not state where the relevant conversation took place.
- Why
- Affleck said Willis was giving him a tip, though Willis had not read the script.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Affleck and Willis filmed the sci-fi film Armageddon, during which Willis advised Affleck against Shakespeare in Love.
Affleck took the role of Ned Alleyn in Shakespeare in Love.
- Podcast
- Happy Sad Confused
- Film in production
- Armageddon
- Affleck's role
- Ned Alleyn
- Shakespeare in Love awards
- Seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture
- Advice context
- Willis had not read the script
What people are saying
He was like, "Man, don't go do that Shakespeare movie, man. You don't wanna do that movie,
[He] was wrong about that one,
hadn't read the script, in all fairness,
the sweetest guy in the world. I love Bruce, and he really was giving me a tip.