After we spent a good deal of time wondering about whether or not the giant tattoo Ben Affleck sported on his back was real or for a very interesting role, the actor has confirmed that yes, the tattoo is legit.
Last year while chilling on a beach in Hawaii the Batman actor unveiled the very colourful design that sported a phoenix weaving its way across his back.
And when we say that it took up his whole back, we’re not being dramatic – that thing is huge.
It was, dare we say, so garish it had many a punter wondering whether it was real – could it be? The man doesn’t sport any other crazy tattoos that are in your face, so this one had to be for a role, right?
WRONG. Oh, boy, you are so wrong.
Chatting with his mate Ellen DeGeneres on her show this week, the actor admitted the thing is so real. Even though last year he said it was fake. Keeping up?
‘It’s a phoenix, rising from my ass,’ Ben said as he laughed along with the comedian and her audience.
However, he did want to add the imagery ‘represents something really important to me.’
The actor has been through a lot over the past few years, including a split with wife Jennifer Garner and a stint in rehab for alcohol issues.
His return as Batman was also tainted and earlier this month he admitted he just couldn’t get the script to work, so he walked away from the upcoming project.
So it’s nice he’s got this tattoo, that he admitted he really liked, to remind him of times gone by.
Even if his ex-wife thinks the thing is a little on the nose.
‘Am I the ashes in this scenario?’ Jen, the mother to Ben’s three children told Vanity Fair, apparently with a wink. ‘I take umbrage. I refuse to be the ashes.’
Of the tattoo being captured on the sly, Ben told Ellen: ‘We were two hours north of the city in some island in Hawaii, and we didn’t know the paparazzi was there.
‘So yeah, they got a picture of my tattoo. And sentiment ran, you know, against.’
He added: ‘It’s meaningful to me. I like it. It’s not something that I sort of kept private.
‘I love my tattoo. I’m very happy with it. Luckily, I’m the one who has it.’
Well, if you’re happy, Ben, then we’re happy.
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