When Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez previously prepared for the release of a joint film, they were in the midst of a breakup. Now, two decades later, the situation echoes the past.
At the premiere of Unstoppable on September 6 at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival, Lopez made a striking appearance on the red carpet. She plays the mother of wrestler Anthony Robles in the film, while her estranged husband—one of the film’s producers—was back in Los Angeles.
Two decades after their first breakup, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck find themselves in a similar situation, promoting a film while going through another separation
Affleck, 52, seemed to be enjoying himself. Sporting a blue suit and aviator sunglasses, he was seen smiling broadly as he walked with an unidentified companion.
While Lopez and fellow co-producer Matt Damon were in Toronto for the event, Affleck remained in Los Angeles, focusing on work and spending time with his children Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12, from his previous marriage to Jennifer Garner.
Lopez, 55, filed for divorce from Affleck on August 20 in Los Angeles, more than two years after their Las Vegas wedding following a renewed romance. In her filing, Lopez mentioned that they had separated in April. The couple first connected on the set of Gigli in 2001 and got engaged the following year, also filming Jersey Girl together.
At the premiere of Gigli in 2003, Lopez and Affleck appeared together on the red carpet. However, by the time of the Jersey Girl premiere in 2004, their relationship had ended, and Lopez was absent as Affleck attended the event with his mother.
Regarding the impact of their breakup on their latest project, Unstoppable director William Goldenberg addressed the situation, revealing there was “not really” any tension between Lopez and Affleck.
“Everyone is professional, and their personal matters are separate,” Goldenberg told Variety in an interview published September 6. “I admire both of them; Ben is someone I know better, but Jennifer was a dream to work with. Their personal lives are just that—personal.”
