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Gandolfini Saved Affleck's Box Office Bomb
17 Oct
Summary
- Affleck credits James Gandolfini for making a film worthwhile.
- He views 'Surviving Christmas' as a career disappointment.
- Affleck learned more from perceived failures than successes.

Ben Affleck recently shared on a podcast that his 2004 film "Surviving Christmas" was a career disappointment. However, he stated he has no regrets about the movie because of his time working with the late James Gandolfini, whom he described as a prince, a lovely guy, and a phenomenal actor.
Affleck, who played a wealthy character offering $250,000 to a couple to spend Christmas in their home, acknowledged that the film's press tour was unpleasant due to studio abandonment. He believes he has learned more from perceived failures than successes, citing "Surviving Christmas" as an example.
The actor also touched upon "Gigli," another box office perceived failure from 2003, suggesting its negative reception was tied to the intense media scrutiny surrounding his relationship with Jennifer Lopez at the time. He noted that both he and Lopez felt "wildly overexposed" during that period.