Why Ben Affleck Is Skipping Premiere for His and Jennifer Lopez’s Movie Amid Divorce

Ben Affleck is avoiding this town. 

Though the actor and BFF Matt Damon serve as co-producers on the new film Unstoppable starring Ben’s estranged wife Jennifer Lopez, the 52-year-old will be absent from the premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival Sept. 6, E! News has learned. 

As for where Ben will be during the star-studded event? The Air star is currently working in Los Angeles, E! News has confirmed, and will be spending time with his and ex Jennifer Garner’s kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12. 

And while Ben won’t be in the building, J.Lo—who recently filed for divorce—is slated make an appearance on the block.  

Ahead of the movie’s premiere, director William Goldenberg addressed the notion that any “awkwardness” arose between the exes, assuring that all remains well, even after filming. 

“Everybody’s a professional, and that’s their own personal thing,” he told Variety in an article published Sept. 6. “I love them both. I mean, I know Ben better, but Jennifer was literally a dream to work with. She was incredible. And their personal life is their personal life."

Their movie’s premiere comes more than two weeks after the singer, 55, filed for divorce to end their two-year marriage.  

According to court documents previously obtained by E! News, Jennifer filed her paperwork exactly two years after their Georgia wedding, but listed their date of separation as April 26.  

(The couple did not have a prenup, a source close to the Second Act star previously told NBC News).

Though Ben and Jen have yet to publicly address their breakup, Jennifer has made quite the splash returning to social media in the wake of their split.

In fact, alongside an Aug. 31 Instagram post featuring photos of herself with her and Marc Anthony’s 16-year-old twins Max and Emme, the singer shared a quote that read, "She's in bloom and unbothered, out of reach and at peace,” adding another that read, “Everything is unfolding in divine order." 

Keep reading for a look back at their rekindled romance before their breakup. 

(E! and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

The two prepare to film a scene for the movie in West Hollywood. The couple met on the set of the film.

The two are spotted in the city.

The two film the movie on Will Rogers State Beach in Los Angeles. That month, the actor proposes to the actress with a 6.1-carat pink diamond ring.

The two film the movie in New York City.

Is there anything more '00s than both Bennifer 1.0 and TRL?

The two make their red carpet debut as a couple at the premiere of her film Maid in Manhattan.

The two bundle up at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah.

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben as the superhero.

The two appear at the premiere of Daredevil, starring Ben and future ex-wife Jennifer Garner.

The two attend the Academy Awards together.

The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.

The two appear at the premiere for their movie in Westwood, Calif.

...it flops at the box office.

The two postpone their wedding. No future date is given.

The two are seen at a Boston Red Sox game. The team is Ben's favorite.

The two end their engagement.

They're baaaack. On Sept. 10, the couple makes their first red carpet appearance in 18 years at the Venice Film Festival premiere of The Last Duel. 

There's no denying J.Lo makes for a stunning plus-one! 

Ben supports J.Lo at the 2021 Global Citizen Live event in New York City, where she performed onstage. It marked her first music gig since she performed at VAX LIVE in May, where the actor also appeared onstage separately, fueling rumors of a rekindled romance.

The two attend the Met Gala together for the first time.

Jen and Ben put on a sizzling display on the red carpet at the premiere of his film The Last Duel in New York City.

Jennifer confirmed her engagement to the Gone Girl actor with a video posted to her On The JLo site, revealing a glimpse of her beautiful engagement ring with a green stone.

On July 16, Jennifer and Ben tied the knot in a surprise ceremony at A Little White Wedding Chapel in Las Vegas.

The two vacation with her twins and two of his kids in the French capital soon after their wedding.

J.Lo steps out with Ben in support of his movie The Flash.

Jennifer release This Is Me... Now, an album about her relationship with Ben. The record is accompanied by a musical film titled This Is Me... Now: A Love Story and the documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told.

The couple enjoys a day out in NYC on March 30, 2024.

J.Lo filed for divorce Aug. 20, listing the date of separation as Apil 26, according to the filing obtained by TMZ.

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