Jon Hamm Reveals: He Was the Original Pick for 'Gone Girl' Instead of Ben Affleck!



by NOUMAN RASOOL

Jon Hamm Reveals: He Was the Original Pick for 'Gone Girl' Instead of Ben Affleck!
Jon Hamm Reveals: He Was the Original Pick for 'Gone Girl' Instead of Ben Affleck!

Jon Hamm, the Emmy-winning actor renowned for portraying the morally ambiguous Don Draper on the hit television series Mad Men, recently revealed a revelation during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live. Joined by his Mad Men co-star turned director, John Slattery, Hamm addressed a fan's inquiry about his potential involvement in the critically acclaimed 2014 film Gone Girl, which ultimately starred Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck.

To the surprise of many, Hamm disclosed that he had come tantalizingly close to securing a role in the film. "I was down to the very end of that," Hamm admitted, hinting at his near-casting. "It was meant to be me, but we had to film the continuing adventures of Mr.

Draper."

Hamm's Dedication to Don Draper

Hamm's absence from Gone Girl can be attributed to his unwavering commitment to the iconic character of Don Draper. Mad Men, a show from 2007 to 2015, captivated audiences and garnered numerous accolades, including Hamm's own Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama during the show's final season.

Back in 2014, when Gone Girl was in the works, a report by Page Six shed light on the situation. It detailed how Mad Men creator Matthew Weiner, steadfast in his vision for the show's final seasons, had adamantly refused to release Hamm from his contractual obligations to pursue the film.

Ultimately, Gone Girl went on to achieve tremendous critical and commercial success, becoming a significant milestone in the careers of those involved. Had Hamm been able to partake in the film, it could have been a significant boost for his somewhat less triumphant foray into cinema.

Nevertheless, Hamm, ever the charismatic and resilient figure, continues to flourish personally and professionally. Reflecting on the missed opportunity, he now jests about the circumstances, injecting some lightheartedness into the situation.

Interestingly, Hamm playfully pointed out a geographical connection between himself and the character from Gone Girl. "The main character in Gone Girl is from St. Louis," noted the St. Louis native, implying a shared hometown.

In a humorous twist, he mentioned the plight of his replacement, Ben Affleck, who hailed from Boston and had to don a Cardinals hat for the role begrudgingly. Affleck's discontent with the wardrobe choice adds an amusing anecdote to the narrative.

While the audience may have missed the opportunity to witness Hamm's performance in Gone Girl, his presence in the entertainment industry remains formidable. Whether on the small screen or the silver screen, Jon Hamm's talent and charm continue to captivate audiences, cementing his status as a celebrated figure in Hollywood.

Ben Affleck