The actor settles a long-running fan question about David Fincher’s 2014 thriller and recalls his experience filming the infamous scene.

Ben Affleck has finally answered one of the enduring questions surrounding Gone Girl, confirming that he did not use a prosthetic during the thriller’s infamous shower scene with Rosamund Pike.

The 54-year-old actor told Variety that he appeared without a prosthetic in the 2014 film, directed by David Fincher and adapted from Gillian Flynn’s bestselling novel.

“I wore no prosthesis,” Affleck said, adding that the only prosthetic he had used in a film was a nose for Hollywoodland.

Affleck portrayed Nick Dunne in Gone Girl, but the shower scene became one of the film’s most discussed pieces of trivia. The actor had previously joked about the precautions taken during filming to ensure the camera did not reveal more than intended.

While accepting a 2014 Hollywood Film Award, Affleck recalled Fincher assuring him that the camera would not tilt far enough to reveal anything beyond what was planned.

Affleck also joked about the temperature on set, saying he wanted the set kept cool for the scene.

Despite the unusual circumstances surrounding the sequence, Affleck has continued to speak highly of Fincher and described working with the acclaimed filmmaker as “the great privilege of my life”.

The actor said he was willing to do anything for Fincher, including appearing naked for the scene.

Affleck is now drawing on his experience in front of the camera while taking on a larger role behind it. His latest thriller, Animals, which he directs and stars in, follows a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped.

Affleck has also discussed the use of artificial intelligence during the making of Animals, describing the film as “a very human movie” and an example of what he considers ethical use of AI in filmmaking.

Animals is currently playing in select cinemas and is scheduled to arrive on Netflix on October 9.