In addition to the forthcoming Zoolander sequel, Ben Stiller is currently promoting his role in Noah Baumbach's characteristically ponderous While We're Young. Vulture exchanged pleasantries with Stiller at the film's New York premiere, inadvertently digging up a truly fascinating bit of parallel-universe-promoting info. Apparently, Stiller passed on the chance to direct Good Will Hunting shortly after his success with the 1994 relic Reality Bites.
Stiller told Vulture his initial response to the script, which his agent intended for him to direct, was some form of "Who are these guys, Affleck and Damon?" Though Good Will Hunting is as close to perfect as a film could possibly get, Stiller's sensibilities circa, say, The Cable Guy might have painted the brilliantly written story of a troubled genius with a decidedly darker tone.
But no one Ben should have all that power.
