Ben Affleck still respects Jennifer Lopez despite their breakup.
The “Argo” director, 52, recently praised his soon-to-be ex-wife while discussing her performance in their upcoming movie “Unstoppable.”
Affleck and Matt Damon, who produced “Unstoppable” via their production company, Artists Equity, were joined by Cillian Murphy for an interview with Entertainment Tonight on Sunday about their film “Small Things Like These.” The reporter asked Affleck about “Unstoppable,” which stars Lopez, 55, as the mother of a one-legged athlete.
“‘Unstoppable’ is a very different movie than this, but in a way it’s similarly rooted in the passion of really talented artists,” said Affleck. “Billy Goldenberg and Jennifer and Don Cheadle and Jharrel … All of them were really passionate about this film.”
“We really believe in the power of storytelling when the people involved in it are deeply emotionally connected to the story,” he continued.
Affleck added that “Jennifer is spectacular” in “Unstoppable.”
“It’s another one that we’re really, really proud of,” he noted. “We believed in the right people, and ‘Unstoppable’ is another example of that.”
Affleck and Lopez were married for two years before Lopez filed for divorce on Aug. 20, the anniversary of the former couple’s second wedding ceremony.
Lopez listed their date of separation as April 26. On that day, the singer was in New York hard at work filming another movie she’s co-producing with Affleck, “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” The exes had wrapped filming on “Unstoppable” three months prior.
Affleck, while he was still married to Lopez, had spoken how much he loved working with his then-wife on the film.
“What fun, what a joy to do something with her, see her be great, go to work with your wife, go to work with your best friend,” he told CBS Sunday Mornings in March 2023.
Adapted from a 1993 Broadway musical (which was an adaptation of a novel), “Unstoppable” tells the true story of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and defied expectations to win a national collegiate wrestling championship in 2011.
Lopez plays Robles’ mother. The rest of the cast includes Jharrel Jerome (as Robles), Bobby Cannavale, Don Cheadle and Michael Peña, while William Goldenberg directed.
The movie had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 6, just over two weeks after Lopez filed for divorce. The “Hustlers” actress attended the premiere, while Affleck did not.
During the after-party, Lopez and Damon — who has been close friends with Affleck for over 40 years — were seen mingling and holding hands during “a long, deep conversation.” An insider said that Lopez is “very close” with Damon, 54, despite her split from Affleck.
Lopez and Affleck have yet to be officially divorced. The duo allegedly did not sign a prenuptial agreement. Lopez did not request spousal support and asked the judge to deny Affleck’s support.
They put their $68 million marital mansion in Beverly Hills on the market in July, but it has yet to sell.
“Unstoppable” arrives in theaters on Dec. 6.