Spotlight On: Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck is many things: Actor. Oscar-winning writer and director. And, um, Batman. As the future Dark Knight's new movie, 'Gone Girl,' hits theaters, let's look back at his notable career. 

One of Affleck's early roles was in this 1992 drama about anti-semitism, which stars Brendan Fraser and Affleck's writing partner, Matt Damon. 

This cult film features Affleck as the wooden paddle-loving O’Bannion -- starring opposite Matthew "Alright, alright, alright" McConaughey.

In his first film with Kevin Smith, Affleck stars as a comic book artist who becomes romantically involved with a lesbian, played by the adorable Joey Lauren Adams. If you haven't seen this comedy, you need to fix that. 

This Oscar-winning movie put actor-writers Affleck and Matt Damon on the map. It's also the reason why audiences still quote the "How do you like them apples?" scene, more than 15 years since the film's release. 

Affleck straps on his space boots to battle an extinction-level event -- and the infamous "space madness" -- in Michael Bay's ode to blowing things up real good. 

In a small but memorable role, Affleck plays an egotistical and overconfident thespian -- one of many actors involved in the first production of a little tragedy called 'Romeo and Juliet.' 

Kevin Smith’s movie features Affleck as a fallen angel, along with his real-life bud and sometimes-collaborator, Matt Damon. The film's sharp, satrical wit is popular with fans of Smith's ViewAskew universe. 

If you’re going to pick a road rage fight, it's probably not a good idea to do so with the likes of Samuel L. Jackson. This is a lesson that Affleck's character learns the hard way in this underseen drama. 

Affleck's first shot at playing a popular comic book hero, this time for Marvel, was a big misfire. Arguably, the best thing to come out of this movie was Affleck meeting his future wife, Jennifer Garner. (Sorry, Evanesence.) 

We’re all entitled to one big stinker. This is Ben Affleck’s. 'Gigli' became the first movie ever to sweep all six categories, including Worst Picture, at the Razzie Awards.

Before taking on the role of Batman, Affleck played TV’s Superman, George Reeves, in this biographical drama about the fall of the late TV star. 

Affleck co-wrote, directed and starred in this crime thriller about a bunch of Boston crooks who dress up like nuns to pull off a bank heist. Lots of shooting and yelling in Boston accents ensue. 

This acclaimed drama about a real-life hostage crisis in Iran took home the Best Picture Oscar, thanks to Affleck’s highly-praised directing.

Affleck stars in the film adaptation of Gillian Flynn’s bestselling mystery novel, playing a husband accused of murdering his missing wife. So the big questions are: Did he do it? Or did she…? Sorry, no spoilers here.