Ben Affleck’s Toughest Armageddon Scene Was Filmed While Ill
Ben Affleck has shared a surprising behind-the-scenes story from Armageddon, revealing he was seriously unwell during one of the film’s most emotional moments. His illness added a raw edge to his performance.
Ben Affleck has opened up about a particularly gruelling day on the set of Armageddon, revealing that he was battling a nasty case of food poisoning while filming one of the film’s most emotionally charged scenes. The actor, who was still finding his feet in Hollywood at the time, admitted he didn’t feel experienced enough to call in sick, so he pushed through, even as he was feeling crook.
The scene in question, a tear-jerker featuring Affleck and Bruce Willis, is remembered by many punters for its emotional punch. But for Affleck, it’s memorable for a very different reason. In a recent chat with Jake Hamilton, he recalled,
‘When we shot that scene, I had food poisoning.’
He went on to explain that between takes, he was making frequent use of a rubbish bin on set, vomiting before jumping back in front of the camera. Affleck joked,
‘And it probably made the scene better,’
sharing a laugh with his mate and The Rip co-star Matt Damon. Fans now have a fresh perspective on that famous moment, knowing what was really going on behind the scenes.
Affleck’s Legendary Armageddon Commentary
Affleck hasn’t exactly kept quiet about his time on Armageddon. His DVD commentary for the film has become a bit of a cult classic, thanks to his candid and often cheeky remarks. One story that’s stuck with fans is when he questioned director Michael Bay about a plot point, asking why it would be easier to train oil drillers to become astronauts than to teach astronauts how to drill for oil. Bay’s blunt response was,
‘Shut the f**k up.’
Affleck took the hint and stopped trying to make sense of the script.
When the DVD commentary dropped, Affleck’s honest take on the production quickly went viral. Listeners were treated to a rare, unfiltered look at the chaos and humour that went on behind the scenes of the much-hyped disaster flick.
Armageddon’s Explosive Legacy
Armageddon, released in 1998, was a classic example of early ‘Bayhem’—Michael Bay’s signature style of over-the-top action and massive explosions. The film boasted a star-studded cast and raked in a whopping $553 million at the box office, cementing its place as a blockbuster hit. But it’s also been the butt of jokes among scientists, with NASA even using it as a training tool for recruits to spot scientific inaccuracies.
Despite its questionable logic, the film’s mix of spectacle and emotion has kept it in the public eye. Affleck’s recent revelation about his on-set illness only adds another layer to the film’s legacy, showing just how much went on behind the camera to bring those big moments to life.
More Hollywood Stories Await
If you’re keen for more behind-the-scenes yarns from Hollywood, there’s plenty out there. Subscribing to industry newsletters can unlock a treasure trove of candid tales, filmmaking tips, and unexpected moments from the sets of some of the world’s biggest films. For those who love a good story, there’s always more to discover about what really happens when the cameras stop rolling.