It’s not just the fans that obsess over those big screen hunks – sometimes their co-stars do, too. Insiders say Jennifer Aniston has a major crush on fellow movie star, Bradley Cooper, and is hoping to secure a date with him, 14 years after they were first linked. But friends tell Closer they’re worried the playboy actor might not be the right guy for Jen, who admits she’s looking for her next – and hopefully last – serious relationship.

“Jen’s been searching high and low for her next A-list boyfriend,” says an insider close to the 54-year-old actress, who remains single, despite being linked to a string of high-profile men since her split from husband Justin Theroux in 2018. “It’s an open secret in her circle that she would date Bradley in a heartbeat – she’s had a huge crush on him for years. They’ve crossed paths many times and she’s got a lot of affection and admiration for him. Besides being one of the hottest guys on earth, he’s also hugely talented, massively intellectual and among the most respected actors in the whole of Hollywood. He ticks every box for a boyfriend and she says it’s perfect timing because they’re both finally single.”

We’re told Jen’s planning to make her move while working with the 48-year-old on his next movie. Sources say she’s looking for a role in [Is This Thing On], a new project in early development with Searchlight. Bradley is already formally attached as star and director, along with comic actor Will Arnett, who co-wrote the script and is producing. We’re told, “Jen’s going all-in trying to get a part in the movie. She’s got strong ties with actor Jason Bateman, who is best friends with Will Arnett, and is likely going to be involved in the movie as well. Plus, she and Bradley have been on good terms for years, and have discussed working together in the future. She’s wanted to do a project with him since the noughties, and is so impressed with his directing. She absolutely loved A Star is Born and is dying to have her own Lady Gaga moment with him in one of his productions. It’s not just a romantic crush, but an art crush on everything Bradley does. She’s put out feelers through her management, so now it’s really just a matter of Jen getting out of her own way, being patient, and not trying to force something that wasn’t meant to be.”

Jen and Bradley reportedly enjoyed a handful of dates back in 2009, after they starred together in He’s Just Not That Into You. It followed relationships Jen had with the super star likes of singer John Mayer, Tate Donovan, Paul Rudd – although Jen dismissed this as happening “when we were, like, 12!” – and Vince Vaughan, who she credited as bringing her “back to life”, adding, “Call Vince my defibrillator… My first gasp of air was a big laugh! It was great. I love him. He’s a bull in a china shop. He was lovely and fun and perfect for the time we had together. And I needed that. And it sort of ran its course.” Fans have followed the Friends actress’ love life obsessively over the years, ever since she married fellow mega star Brad Pitt in 2000. They split five years later after the actor met Angelina Jolie on the set of [Mr and Mrs Smith], though he insisted there had been no affair, saying, “For those who follow these sorts of things, we would like to explain that our separation is not the result of any of the speculation reported by the tabloid media. This decision is the result of much thoughtful consideration.” Jen finally seemed to be getting her happily ever after when she met Justin, now 51, in 2007 through mutual pal Ben Stiller. Romance blossomed after they starred together in [Wanderlust] four years later, and they married in 2015. But the pair filed for divorce after only three years, saying, “We have decided to announce our separation. This decision was mutual and lovingly made at the end of last year. We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship.”

Our source continues, “Jen wants to date a fellow superstar, who understands what she has to deal with as one of the most famous women on the planet. Being a fellow A-lister, Bradley wouldn’t be intimidated by Jen’s status. Plus, they already have plenty of mutual friends and both spend time in LA and New York. Bradley’s mostly based on the east coast but he’s in California a lot for business, and Jen tends to fly about a lot more than she used to. She’s playing down her interest in him as just professional curiosity, but it’s clear she’s hoping they can spend time together – and hopefully find chemistry – on this upcoming movie.”

The only stumbling block, say friends, is Bradley’s commitment issues. Despite insisting, “I don’t see myself as a ladies’ man,” he has previously had a whirlwind four-month marriage with actress Jennifer Esposito, a two-year relationship with Renee Zellweger, and short-lived romances with Jennifer Lopez, Zoe Saldana and model Suki Waterhouse. Most recently he dated supermodel Irina Shayk – with whom he shares daughter Lea, 6 – splitting in 2019, amidst rumours of an on-set romance with Gaga, 37.

Meanwhile Jen has confirmed she’s looking for something serious, revealing earlier this year that she “would love a relationship,” adding, “There are moments I want to just crawl up in a ball and say, ‘I need support.’ It would be wonderful to come home and fall into somebody’s arms and say, ‘That was a tough day’.” In another recent chat, the star confirmed, “I think it’s time. I think I’m ready to share myself with another,” adding jokily, “No gingers and no Raya please. I’m an old-school girl.” Our source continues, “The only worry from some of Jen’s friends is that she might be setting her sights a little unrealistically high with Bradley. He has a lot of incredible attributes, but he’s also known as a serious commitment-phobe. He hasn’t dated anyone seriously since Irina – and that’s been by choice. Jen isn’t put off by any of it and argues that they’re similarly picky, and that’s why they’re so well suited. She’s not going to charge after him and risk embarrassing herself, but it’s clear she’s genuinely hopeful about it working out. And if it doesn’t happen romantically, at least it could be good for her professionally!”