When Jennifer Lopez filed for divorce last month, a denouement to months of speculation about the state of her marriage to Ben Affleck, there were several issues at play. Firstly, the not insignificant matter of their financial assets, for they had, according to Lopez’s court filing, married two years ago without a prenuptial in place. With their $60m house on the market, apparently their only shared asset, it seemed as though their finances could be in hand, for now.

Then there was the case of their blended family, with Lopez’s twins with Marc Anthony, Emme and Max, and Affleck’s children with Jennifer Garner, Samuel, Violet and Seraphina, all reportedly close with one another and their step-parents. According to sources close to the former couple, they have gone out of their way to try and maintain a sense of stability for the children amidst the separation and divorce rumours this summer, with Lopez attending Samuel’s high school graduation in June, and seen with Violet in the Hamptons the following month. ‘They are committed to staying in the children’s lives for as long as it feels right,’ said one source.

One element of the split which is almost impossible to navigate as a team, however, is the premiere and promotion of their film Unstoppable. The film, (which is about wrestler Anthony Robles) was produced by Affleck’s company, Artists Equity, and he and Matt Damon are two of over a dozen producers, and Lopez stars alongside Don Cheadle and Bobby Canavale. Whilst both Affleck and Lopez were previously listed as attendees for the premiere at the Toronto Film Festival, since the divorce was officially filed it has been reported that only Lopez will attend. US gossip column Page Six has suggested that Affleck will be skipping the event and staying at home in Los Angeles, whilst Lopez tackles the tricky task of handling the world’s press a mere three weeks after filing for divorce from her husband amidst a giant press storm. It was even reported by the Daily Mail that some of Affleck’s producers had even been ‘pushing’ Bennifer, as Affleck and Lopez have become known over the years, to ‘appear together at the premiere in Toronto to create buzz on the film.’

This doesn’t seem likely, however, especially given Affleck’s infamous reticence to present himself to the public or indulge in his fame – a trait which has earned him the nickname ‘Sad Ben’ due to his often downcast demeanour when attending public events with Lopez since they reunited in 2021 (14 years since they called off their engagement during their first burst of romance). There’s also the fact that the pair hasn’t been seen together since June and by all accounts are not even on speaking terms.

It is a far cry from their glory days, short lived though they were, with their second anniversary falling only shortly before their divorce was reported. Affleck had even spoken about working with Lopez on Unstoppable, back in March 2023, saying, ‘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.’

The reason that things fell apart so spectacularly between the couple has not been made clear, though sources close to them have spoken about Affleck’s growing discomfort with Lopez’s desire to play out their relationship in public, something he made clear in the documentary she made about their on-off romance, entitled ‘Greatest Love Story Never Told’. Speaking about the projects which their relationship had inspired, Affleck said,’Jen was really inspired by this experience, which is how artists do their work. They get inspired by their personal life, it moves you, I know as a writer and director I certainly do the same things. But things that are private I had always felt are sacred and special in part because they’re private. So, this was something of an adjustment for me.’

Now, friends of Affleck have suggested he is more than happy to be living in his own world again – a decision which was said to have enraged Lopez, who felt blindsided by his sudden move out of their marital home in April. With the promotional tour of Unstoppable about to get underway, she will have one of the most awkward press tours to negotiate since Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had to deny rumours of a romance while they plugged Mr and Mrs Smith. Ever the professional, however, Lopez is said to be holding her head up high and is looking forward to the response to the film. ‘Both she and Ben put a lot of time and money into this movie,’ said the source. ‘If it’s a success, it’s something good that has come out of this mess, at least.’