The Shocking Choice You Won't Believe for Ben Affleck's Gone Girl Character!

Ben Affleck's character in Gone Girl was almost played by Jon Hamm, as confirmed by Hamm himself during a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. Hamm revealed that he was originally set to portray the role of Nick Dunne in the 2014 film, but had to drop out due to his commitments as Don Draper on Mad Men. As a native of St. Louis, Hamm jokingly mentioned that Affleck, being from Boston, had to wear a Cardinals hat in the movie.

I reached the final moments of the project. Originally, I was supposed to be the one in front of the camera, but circumstances led us to film the ongoing story of Mr. Draper instead. Interestingly, the protagonist in Gone Girl hails from St. Louis. Unfortunately for Ben, a native of Boston, he had to wear a Cardinals hat, which did not bring him much joy.

The Gone Girl Casting Worked Out For Both Ben Affleck & Jon Hamm

Although Gone Girl was a missed opportunity for Hamm in terms of his movie career not matching up to his successful TV resume, the casting decision ended up benefiting both actors. Hamm made a comeback in Mad Men season 6, where he delivered a flawless performance as the captivating and conflicted advertising executive, earning him yet another Emmy nomination. Throughout the acclaimed AMC drama's run, Hamm received a total of eight Emmy nominations for his portrayal of Don Draper, one for each season, including two for the split seventh season. Finally, in 2015, he emerged victorious and won the prestigious award before the show concluded.

Affleck's portrayal of Nick Dunne in Gone Girl received widespread acclaim for effectively capturing the intricate layers of the character. Audiences were captivated by the range of emotions he expressed, from confusion and concern to suspicion and desperation, as they questioned his involvement in his wife's disappearance. Although it would have been intriguing to witness Hamm's interpretation of the role, the casting of Affleck ultimately proved to be the best choice for both actors.