This is just an excuse to post photos of both Matt Damon and Ben Affleck on the sets of the films they’re separately working on: Live By Night, a prohibition era crime drama directed by and starring Affleck and the latest Jason Bourne movie, which Damon is finally filming a full eight years after he made his last Bourne movie.
Six months ago if you posed the question to me in the title I would say Damon with no hesitation. I still favor Damon but his behavior toward a female producer on the Project Greenlight set kind of soured me to him. Plus he sort-of suggested that gay actors should stay in the closet. Affleck, on the other hand, is a cad and a cheat but his personal beliefs seem to align with his politics. He would be fun for a fling, is what I’m saying, and your chances are pretty decent.
Damon was seen on set in London in a simple brown leather jacket, a black shirt, black jeans and dress shoes. He looks incredible and you can tell he’s in Bourne shape again. I would prefer to see him in more formfitting clothes, but these will do. This movie should have some incredible chase and fight scenes as we’ve come to expect from the series. Incidentally, the guy with the long gray hair and round glasses in the photo below is director Paul Greengrass, whom Damon insisted on working with again before he would return to the franchise.
Affleck is wearing period clothing for Live By Night, filming in Georgia and based on the novel by Dennis Lehane. Affleck is playing the lead, Joe Coughlin, a gangster during the prohibition era. How do I put this delicately? It’s possible that Coughlin is a bigger man and that Affleck is supposed to look slightly more filled out for this role. His weight seems to fluctuate quite a bit, and he may have gained a little for this film. (Or the big clothes could be throwing me off.)
While I haven’t read any of Lehane’s books starring Coughlin (there are three), I did find a lengthy excerpt from Live By Night. (It’s a great read and now I want to know what happens next.) There’s only one physical description of Joe in that passage but his face is described as “thin,” so Affleck probably didn’t gain weight for this role. This is about a police sketch of the lead character: “Joe would have to ask Emma if his face looked that thin and wolfish in the flesh, but otherwise, the resemblance was remarkable.” Those of you who have read the book can let me know how Joe is supposed to look. I’m going to add it to my holiday reading list.
Affleck looks good though! Also, he gets to hang out with this awesome German Shepherd.
Photo credit: FameFlynet
Affleck looks like a goober in those clothes. Jason Bourne for the win.
Ben’s face looks like it’s a dead persons head that’s been embalmed. Too much botox or fillers and makeup that gives off an almost macabre appearance.
I’m voting for the cute blonde guy behind Ben in the grey shirt in the fourth pic.
“I’m voting for the cute blonde guy behind Ben in the grey shirt in the fourth pic. ”
Yes! Love his expression!
Yep, I’m with you on that blonde guy. Or the gentleman in the bright green jacket with the winning smile.
i just dont get him as an actor, as a person he seems prickish.
the shots make the movie look like a Colonel Sanders bio pic, yeesh to ben in period clothes.
First thing that came to mind was pasty, doughy Colonel Sanders for Ben. Not the look. Is that alcohol bloat or fillers? Whatever it is, it ain’t good.
Matt Damon. Meh. I think he’s a dick and has kept it mainly under wraps, but it’s starting to ooze out.
Definitely Damon. Ben has a face that’s just begging to be punched.
Same here! IMO he was best in Gone Girl where he played the douche he is in real life- I think he is a talented writer and director though to give credit where its due. Matt is hot!
Agreed. I don’t buy Affleck in a period role. I just don’t think he’s a good enough actor to pull it off.
Also, I think that’s a Belgian Malinois. Not a German Shepherd.
Total goober. That pic of Affleck wearing the panama hat made me almost laugh out loud.
+1. Affleck would be terrible in bed. damon, would be great and its just sex. no need to get into politics or even let him talk.
shhhhh. no talky, JasonBourne..
Affleck looks like my ex husband does now, bloated from boozing daily. *SMH*
Neither. Can’t stand either one of them.
^ This! Its like asking me to decide between constipation and Diarrhea. Either way I’m spending the day on the toilet.
Hard pass.
You perfectly captured this particular dilemma.
I’m stealing this for future use…
That made me laugh so hard I nearly peed a little. To the toilet I go. I’ll be in the next stall.
+1.
Interesting that this blog hasn’t (yet) reported on the massive fail suffered by both Damon and Affleck when their Project Greenlight movie apparently debuted last night to terrible reviews! So, neither! Tee-hee Team Effie!
Agreed. Matt Damon mansplainer for all the non white males in the world who just don’t understand VS. Karma-tits Affleck. I’d rather watch them go at each other.
Team Effie.
And what is also disheartening is that Matt is angry at Effie apparently. She said he was dismissive and standoffish towards her at the premiere.
Same.
I NEVER was attracted to Damon, he’s just, blah.
Used to think Affleck was hunky years ago, but now, no.
Both. I don’t care what anyone says I still like my Boston Boys.
Agree. And I love Denis Lehane
Yep, I still like both of them, but as for these photos…
Who’s the guy with the bright green jacket in the one w/Damon and Greengrass? He’s hot.
And as for Live By Night, great book and series, love Dennis Lehane (currently rewatching The Wire for which he wrote some of S4), but with regard to the film itself, though it’s a great story and script, also looks so far like it will be beautifully shot and well-acted…
I still think Casey Affleck would’ve been a better, more fitting choice for the part of Joe Coughlin. #NoDisrespectToBenAffleck
p.s. Celebitchy, the “awesome German Shepherd” is Ben’s own (who looks mixed with Keeshond maybe?) named Ghandi. Anyway, it’s great that he gets to have and hang out with his dog on-set, man’s best friend indeed.
Um, Damon FTW.
At first I thought Affleck’s costumes looked ridiculous on him but after seeing more photos they are fine. I think my mom would like them, she still talks about how swoon-worthy he looked in period attire for Pearl Harbor, lol.
Neither, they’re too old for me.
But after seeing Affleck on Real Time, and after Damon’s comments, I think I like Ben better.
Yeah, I think I like Ben a tad bit better too. At least he never pretended to be a moral high and mighty person.
Yep, I’d prefer someone below 35, thank you very much.
“He would be fun for a fling, is what I’m saying, and your chances are pretty decent. ”
LMAO
They’ll have to change that line to “Joe would have to ask Emma if his face looked that well-padded and prone to jowls.”
Damon would have been the shoe-in before he opened his mouth. Now, I vote for neither.
This is another movie that he stars in and directs. Why?
I would think it is a business condition, in order to increase the chances for success Affleck was forced to star in it but at this stage in his career doesn’t he have more to say?
Does he enjoy directing and being the star in all of his movies? He’s really not that great of an actor.
Affleck was signed to direct /star in this movie 2.5 years ago, I think the announcement was made in May 2013, so it was after his Iran movie won Oscar. Upon release of the deal, he immediately started working on editing screen play. So, no, he was not forced , and studio made a decision when he was at the zenith of his career…
Ok. Thanks.
So, Affleck considers himself the perfect lead in the movies he directs. What a surprise!
Neither.
Is None of the Above an option? That’s the box I’m checking
Neither, both are douchbags.
I must be blind because Damon was never hot but a mediocre short guy. Add to that his sexist racist views and he becomes ugly.
Yep. Neither.
Ben Affleck has zero appeal for me. He’s a whiny little boy.
Neither..Wouldnt want Matt to mansplain anything to me. And for Ben, I have a nanny so wouldnt trust that. hahaha
Neither.
Neither. Whatever I saw in them before is long gone. Both ooze of douchiness now.
+1
Neither at the moment, Ben needs the beard back.
Also Ben looks a lot younger, so he has that going for him…
He does? I thought he looked very middle aged in a sort of sedate couch potato way. Not sexy.
YES! Bring back the beard.
I disagree. Ben looks older than his actual age.
Definitely not Affleck he looks like a bloated dad. It would have to be Damon.
Damon. If I could somehow get him to promise not to talk except to make pleasant comments. Safe topics could be : me, the weather, me, food, me etc.
there is something about Ben’s face in these set pics. what has he done to his face? is it prosthetics? weight gain? why does he look like plastic dough in the face? it’s very, very odd.
i just chuckled enjoying gorgeous hot matt damon and then that goofy chubby ben affleck appeared. wow
Yeah I never thought Matty D was interesting until I watched him on Elysium and the Adjustment Bureau. So I’ll pick him. I actually don’t think he is a terrible person for his comments, but hey, maybe I just like him and am in denial.
I think Ben is fine sometimes but i hate seeing him clean shaved. He looks better with a modest beard. he needs some facial hair.
so Matty D for the win!
Neither and I see I’m not alone in my thinking.
Probably Damon. I’ve never really liked Affleck.
I’m glad they’re making Live by Night. I’ve read it and the book before it The Given Day are incredible novels. Didn’t realize there was a third. I’ll read anything by Lehane!
I don’t picture Affleck as Joe at all. He’s not a heavy character at all, so those clothes look weird. He was very stylish though.
Then again, Joe is from Boston so… Hmm.
Looks alone, Ben circa Pearl Harbor.
Who would I rather? Heck, the German shepherd.
Neither
One is married
One is going through mid-life crisi!!
I would agree with many here the answer is neither……Isn’t that an interesting recent developement??
I think this year has seen a change of perception for both…and now I think they are a bit of a downward slope…Not massively and Damon can still make money but the affection and admiration has gone and might be the beginning of the end …
Certainly they are now not in the ‘hot’ league…I think they have lost the spark …
Others have taken their place ..age and ego have taken their toll…
Ben and weight on is not a good combination. His face does look a little doughy clean-shaven or kind of baby-faced. I agree, If he’s going to be thicker, he needs some hair on his face.
Affleck looks like a chipmunk. Is he stuffing cotton balls in his cheeks?
Neither. Used to love Matt, but he’s a jerk. The Effie Brown situation was just the final nail in his coffin for me.
Neither. Affleck has such vapid looking eyes. He is like an aging frat boy. Damon just looks angry.
Neither. No thank you. But if anyone is asking – have Dwayne Johnson washed and brought to my tent.
Bahahaha
Get off my man, yo! 😉
I mean…is there a 3rd choice 😒
The young man behind Damon in the 3rd photo. He’d be a good choice.
“Thin and wolfish;” Ben Affleck? lol Oh my how wrong they got it.
Why not Hiddles for the part? He would’ve been great!
As for your question, I’d rather have that luscious man standing in the bright coat in front of the director in that one photo.
Neither. It’s not 1998.
Eh, I’ll always have a soft spot for Damon. Even though that mansplainin’ debacle was very problematic, he’s the lesser of the 2 evils imo *shrugs*
Affleck just seems like a guy who’d know how to treat his lady right. Who wouldn’t want him? :-p
Are Rando crew member with chin dimple behind Damon and Blondie behind affleck not possible Choices we could take??
Tell us about Damons behavior toward a female producer..
Neither. If forced to make the decision though, I’d go with Damon and then pretend to be asleep immediately afterwards so I wouldn’t have to talk to him.
^^^the winning answer.
I’m a slut. Total fingercuffs situation.
*sighs and shaking head with sadness*
They are both handsome. Affleck looks really good in the suit. But they are both complete asses. I just have this irrational and intense dislike for Damon in particular. They have lived such privileged lives, yet treat people poorly (Greenlight, wives etc). Of the two I like Affleck more because at least his shi*tiness is out there. Damon I just want to punch. It really is irrational, the level of grrrrrr I have for Damon. He is on my shortlist of actors that just make me ragey.
That dog is magnificent.
LOL……
Damon dear god..
wow.
Team celibate…
Rah-rah!
I think Ben is a lot more intelligent and progressive, so I’m going with him.
Not where women is concerned. He seems like old fashioned frat boy.
This. He’s gross. I’m shocked that old video of him sexually harassing/groping a female interviewer while she just tries to do her job hasn’t turned everyone off him forever. He did that on camera, so what’s he like in private?
Damon, he has a beautiful smile and can be very charming. He would have to wear a muzzle though.
I think I probably wouldn’t like him too much in real life because he seems to have been surrounded by yes people for so long that he’s very little concept of reality. People focus on his more recent badly communicated comments but he’s being saying stupid things for years without challenge. Not necessarily offensive things but stupid things which show how oblivious he can be. In one interview he claimed that he never met an actor who was born wealthy, that they were all from ‘humble’ backgrounds, considering most actors are from over privileged backgrounds (how they get in) including those he’s supposedly friends with ( millionaire upbringings Gwyneth, Emily blunt….), it just seems like he has no perception of what normal is (he claims no privilege with a stock broker daddy and professor mommy – of course!) That would explain why he doesn’t understand the ‘diversity’ Effie was talking about and fails to recognise the challenges facing people due to their race, gender, low social status and the benefits those people offer due to personal experience. In his world all the rich white people who were born three feet from the finish line with an army of servants to carry them over claim they earned everything by themselves without anybody pointing out that they blatently didn’t. He comes across as very condescending and quite ignorant which is a pity because he’d be so hot if he wasn’t full of &@!€.
Honestly, the right set of circumstances (and with no *other (I have a list – always disordered, but ever constant)* more preferably that day or week on offer), I’d consider allowing both an “I would, d’ya fancy it?” opportunity.
Going in both eyes open, Damon would be the easier on my sanity option but *both eyes open disclaimer* would mean I couldn’t complain at the downside(s) of prioritising Affleck as the more ‘challenging’ pick. And, if you’re gonna commit to a go around spin on the Hollywood carousel you might as well make the more interesting bang for buck your top-pick. I can’t imagine a happy ever after red sunset with either, so Benjie Boy for the better arc from Lion’s roar to fade, for me.
He’s a better physical fit for my liking too, which helps.
I want scruffy Ben back.
Ben, especially if he regained his Gone Girl physique. I find him very attractive—no shame.
Joe Coughlin is one of my favorite characters ever. He is NOT heavy (ever). And seeing Affleck play him breaks my little heart.
Highly recommend all three books: A Given Day, Live By Night, and World Gone By. Lehane is fantastic and I think Joe is his best character (and Live By Night his best book)!