Ben Affleck stars in Daredevil, and he is daring to date J. Lo
Knight Ridder Tribune
Issue date: 3/10/03 Section: Entertainment
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Apparently, yes. Moviegoers have put Daredevil in the super-gross category that compares, if not challenges, Spidey himself, the Spider-Man. Similarly, this one involves a do-gooder who jumps from rooftops, rights wrongs and wears a mask and tight-fitting leather outfit. Any resemblance to Spider-Man is purely intentional.
The star is Ben Affleck. He is a lawyer by day and masked vigilante by night. As a boy, he was blinded in a bizarre incident, but it only strengthened his other powers. He "sees" by hearing people's heartbeats and can also tell when someone is lying.
He manipulates buildings easily and ... well, he has got powers like those of Superman, Spider-Man or any of the X-Men. Casting Affleck in the title role was no more ridiculous than the initial idea of casting Tobey MacGuire as Spider-Man. The suit surely helps. It has sewn-in muscles and broad shoulders.
This is the same Ben Affleck whom People Magazine recently chose as "The Sexiest Man Alive." His engagement to singer/actress/tabloid princess Jennifer Lopez has been thoroughly covered in the press. It has even spawned a new word; Benifermania.
But for now, he would prefer to talk about the movie. It might have worked if he had not been late for this interview.
Apologizing, he says: "That gives you the right to ask two nasty questions. Then we'll be even."
What is your reaction to all the Jennifer Lopez publicity?
Affleck: "That's one. I'm a little in shock, still. I mean, I've dated public persons before. Gwyneth (Paltrow). But there was nothing like this. I don't even know what the rumors are anymore. I have to go down to the supermarket to check on myself."
But do the two of you not, in some way, enjoy this attention? After all, you appeared in the music video "Jenny From the Block," uh ... caressing Lopez. Does that not encourage the publicity?
Affleck: "That's two, and you're over. In a word, no. We don't encourage it except through work. Going out shopping or going to a movie isn't working. On the other hand, making that video was work. We met on the set of Gigli, a Mob comedy. We play a husband and wife in Jersey Girl. That should be the extent of our public persona."