Armageddon, released Black Sites dating in 1998, established Affleck given that a practical main character to have Hollywood studio movies. A good Will Query had not yet , appeared inside casting processes and, immediately after Affleck’s screen-test, manager Michael Bay overlooked your as “a nerd”. He had been pretty sure of the music producer Jerry Bruckheimer you to Affleck will be a celebrity, nevertheless star needed to slim down, become tanned, and have now their teeth capped in advance of filming began. The film, where he starred contrary Bruce Willis as a bluish-collar driller assigned because of the NASA which have stopping a keen asteroid regarding colliding that have Earth, was a package office achievement. ” Later when you look at the 1998, Affleck had a supporting character because an arrogant English star in the that point personal funny Shakespeare in love, featuring his then-spouse Gwyneth Paltrow. Lael Loewenstein out-of Diversity pointed out that Affleck “do a number of his finest functions, suggesting you to funny may be their genuine calling,” if you find yourself Janet Maslin of your own Ny Times found him “very funny”. Affleck then featured because the a little-urban area sheriff from the supernatural headache motion picture Phantoms. Stephen Holden of your own Nyc Minutes questioned as to the reasons stars instance Affleck and you can Peter O’Toole got wanted to come in the fresh new “junky” film: “Affleck’s thudding efficiency suggests he could be discovering their talk on the very first time, directly from cue notes.”
Affleck next featured contrary Courtney Like throughout the little-seen dress funny two hundred Smokes (1999)
Affleck and you will Damon got an in-display reunion from inside the Kevin Smith’s religious satire Dogma (shortly after that have appeared in Smith’s earlier in the day video, Mallrats and Going after Amy), which premiered during the 1999 Cannes Motion picture Festival. Janet Maslin of New york Minutes noticed that the pair, playing fallen angels, “render high, readable warmth to help you Mr. Smith’s wise chat and you can wild imaginings”. Affleck starred contrary Sandra Bullock throughout the romantic funny Forces of Character (1999), to tackle a bridegroom whoever attempts to will his relationships is actually tricky by their 100 % free-spirited travelling lover. Owen Gleiberman out-of Activity Weekly remarked that Affleck “gets the quick-split appeal you need into the a beneficial screwball character,” if you are Joe Leydon regarding Range recognized “his effective capability to enjoy facing his good looks inside the an effective self-effacing comic turn”.
Shakespeare in love won seven Academy Awards, also Most readily useful Photo, just like the cast won the Screen Actors Guild Honor having A great Efficiency by the a cast
Shopping for good directorial industry, Affleck shadowed John Frankenheimer through the pre-creation of the action thriller Reindeer Online game (2000). Frankenheimer, directing his history element film, explained Affleck while the having “an incredibly winning, likable quality regarding him. I’ve been doing this for quite some time and you will he is really one of many nicest.” The guy starred contrary Charlize Theron given that a great hardened violent, with Elvis Mitchell of your own Ny Times experiencing the unanticipated casting alternatives: “Affleck will implies among Kennedys to tackle Clark Kent … The guy looks as if he has got never missed a celebration otherwise good night of bed. He could be video game, whether or not, and his awesome moderate dislocation operates to the benefit of Reindeer Game.” Then he had a supporting role while the good high pressure stockbroker inside the the newest crime crisis Boiler Space (2000). Good.O. Scott of New york Times sensed Affleck got “tracked more” Alec Baldwin’s show when you look at the Glengarry Glen Ross, if you’re Peter Rainer of new York Magazine told you he “does a number of riffs to your Baldwin’s aria, and each a person is funnier and you can crueler versus next”. Then he considering the voice from Jos. In his history motion picture role out-of 2000, Affleck played contrary his partner Paltrow on intimate crisis Bounce. Stephen Holden of one’s Ny Minutes praised this new “slight power and you may exquisite outline” out-of his abilities: “His portrait out-of an early, sarcastically notice-discussed ‘anybody person’ who is not half once the sure when he would like to seem is virtually definitive.”