Ben Affleck Doubts Kevin Costner Remembers Him as an Extra on Field of Dreams

Ben Affleck thinks Kevin Costner was just “being kind” when he said he remembered him and Matt Damon.

Affleck dismissed the idea that Costner recalls the two of them working as extras on his 1989 film Field of Dreams. The childhood friends began their acting careers as background extras on movie sets filming in their hometown of Boston.

Last year, Field of Dreams star Costner told a talk show that he remembered Affleck and Damon as extras in a scene filmed at Boston’s Fenway Park.

However, during an appearance on the same show this week, Affleck insisted that wasn’t likely.

“Kevin is being kind saying he remembers us because we weren’t memorable,” Affleck explained. “We were just annoying — you know what I mean? — and there were a lot of people there. It’s sweet of him to say that, but I’m pretty sure he remembers the actors with lines.”

The Good Will Hunting star also shared how awe-inspiring it was to see Costner and co-star James Earl Jones on set. He recalled being particularly impressed by Costner’s batting skills.

“We spent two days at Fenway Park, and everything about it felt so big-time,” Affleck said. “We thought actors might be kind of fake, but when Costner took batting practice, we expected him to be bad. Instead, he hit several balls off the Green Monster — Fenway Park’s towering left-field wall — and even knocked one out of the park. He was amazing.”

In contrast, Costner insisted last year that he “absolutely” remembered Affleck and Damon, noting their “big enthusiasm” and how they “were on fire.”

After acting in several films during the late ’80s and early ’90s, Affleck and Damon rose to fame for writing and starring in Good Will Hunting (1997), which earned them the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.