By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2024-11-05 03:41:43 | Updated at 2024-11-05 05:32:22
2 hours ago
Ben Affleck is determined to make sure his divorce from Jennifer Lopez doesn't impact his new movie Unstoppable, or prevent his ex from getting the praise she deserves for her performance in the upcoming flick.
The actor, 52, rekindled his romance with the On the Floor singer, 55, in 2021, but fans were heartbroken when Lopez filed for divorce in August following months of speculation that their two-year marriage had crumbled.
Despite the pair still working out the terms of their divorce, they have been forced to forge ahead on a professional level after working together on Affleck's new film with co-producer, and best friend, Matt Damon.
On Sunday, Affleck broke his silence in the wake of their split to praise her 'spectacular' performance because he is 'adamant' about keeping things civil, insiders told DailyMail.com.
'Ben wants Unstoppable to be a major hit, and for JLo to receive as many accolades as she deserves for it,' a source said.
Ben Affleck is determined to make sure his divorce from Jennifer Lopez doesn't impact his new movie Unstoppable, or prevent his ex from getting the praise she deserves
Affleck, 52, praised Lopez, 55, for her 'spectacular' performance as Judy Robles in Unstoppable
'Ben doesn't want their relationship ruining any buzz for the movie and her performance. He wants it to stand on its own.'
The insider continued: 'He knows that he is going to be asked about Jen during media appearances. He is adamant about keeping it very civil.
'He truly believes she killed it. Ben is a filmmaker, and an Oscar winner himself, he knows what works, and he always thought JLo would be incredible.'
A second source claimed Affleck, whose daughter Violet, 18, is still close with Lopez, is aware that any comment he makes about his ex will undoubtedly make headlines in the coming weeks, but he has no plans to elaborate.
'Ben obviously has a lot of loose ends to tie up with JLo, but he is proud of her performance,' they said. 'He also knows how much weight his comments have and if Ben says his ex-wife is good she must be good and people will watch the film.
'This is the first and only thing he has said about her since their split and it is all he will say.'
The source added how both Affleck and his producing partner know better than to attempt any sort of avoidance tactics as they continued: 'Make no mistake about it, this film is a huge investment for Ben and Matt.
'They can’t not comment on a star’s performance when they’re in a lead role in the film they produced.'
'Ben wants Unstoppable to be a major hit, and for JLo to receive as many accolades as she deserves for it,' a source told DailyMail.com
The source continued: 'Ben doesn't want their relationship ruining any buzz for the movie and her performance. He wants it to stand on its own'
The two-time Oscar-winner made the comments in an interview with Entertainment Tonight where he was joined by Damon and reigning Best Actor Cillian Murphy, 48, who stars in Small Things Like These, another Artists Equity production.
He said 'Jennifer is spectacular' in the role of Judy Robles in the sports drama, which is directed by William Goldenberg.
Set to arrive in theaters December 6, the film also stars Bobby Cannavale, Michael Peña, Don Cheadle and Jharrel Jerome, who plays champion Arizona State University amateur wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg.
Affleck has chosen to stay silent in the wake of his marriage break down, but Lopez gave new insight into their relationship during a recent sit down with comedian Nikki Glasser for Interview magazine.
She described her heartbreak as ‘sad’ and ‘scary’ in a risqué shoot with the publication.
The singer and actress, who did not name Affleck, added that she is ‘not looking for anybody' right now and suggested that her ex did not embrace all of her flaws.
Lopez's August 20 divorce filing came after months of speculation that the A-list couple were on the rocks.
She filed on the two-year anniversary of their nuptials at Affleck's estate outside of Savannah, Georgia.
Affleck and his Artists Equity production partner Matt Damon, 54, know 'they can’t not comment on a star’s performance when they’re in a lead role in the film they produced'
Lopez stars alongside When They See Us star Jharrel Jerome who plays amateur wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg (pictured together at the Los Angeles premiere)
Lopez and Affleck made headlines in 2021 when they rekindled their romance, nearly 17 years after calling off their original engagement and postponing their September 2003 wedding.
In April 2021, reports surfaced that the musician and the Oscar-winning director were reconnecting after Lopez’s breakup with former MLB star Alex Rodriguez.
The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram that July and made their red carpet return at the 2021 Venice Film Festival, and subsequently exchanged vows at the Little White Chapel in Las Vegas on July 16, 2022.
Lopez is mother to 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme, from her marriage to Marc Anthony, 56, which lasted from 2004 to 2014.
After Affleck moved out of the $68 million mansion he shared with Lopez and into his own rental bachelor pad in Brentwood, California, friends feared that he could relapse as a result of the strain of such a public split.
DailyMail.com reported at the time that Lopez turned to the actor's ex-wife Jennifer Garner for help as she was one of a few people who could offer advice.
The couple, who were married from 2005 to 2018, share Violet, 18, Fin, 15 and Samuel, 12.
Lopez gave new insight into their relationship during a recent sit down with comedian Nikki Glasser for Interview magazine, describing her heartbreak as ‘sad’ and ‘scary’
Affleck was reportedly upset by the news that people feared he would relapse after a lengthy bout of sobriety.
‘Ben tries to avoid reading the news but it did upset him that people thought he relapsed because he had not,' a source told DailyMail.com last month.
'Like every alcoholic, Ben just wakes up with one goal in mind. To stay sober for that day.'
They added that the 'tough’ fallout from their split helped to show him how important it is to never jeopardize his sobriety.
