Ben Affleck has never been particularly sentimental about his 2003 Daredevil movie. The Oscar winner has spent years poking fun at his first superhero outing, and considering some of the creative choices in that movie, I can't entirely blame him. Still, his latest reflection on playing Matt Murdock contains a pretty fascinating regret, especially when you realize the guy he wishes he'd listened to was standing right there on set.

During a recent appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, shared in an Instagram clip, Affleck revisited his time as the Man Without Fear and offered some considerable praise for Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige. Apparently, he would love to travel back to 2003 and give Feige a much bigger say in what they were making. He recalled:

The former Man Without Fear’s admiration for Feige goes well beyond wishing he’d received better notes on Daredevil. In fact, he recently called the Marvel Studios president a genius while discussing his experiences with superhero franchises.

The Good Will Hunting actor recalled that Feige was working on Daredevil long before he became the architect of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Avi Arad was running Marvel's film operations at the time, while Feige served as a co-producer. Looking back, the Argo filmmaker finds that arrangement pretty frustrating, with everyone having their own ideas of how things should go. He added:

Listen, you can save your unrated cut; I want the time-travel alternative Feige cut of 2003’s Daredevil.

Director Mark Steven Johnson's Daredevil arrived in the early ‘00s, starring the Gone Girl star alongside Jennifer Garner as Elektra, Colin Farrell as Bullseye, and Michael Clarke Duncan as Kingpin. It earned about $179 million worldwide against a reported $78 million production budget, though critics were far less enthusiastic. The movie currently sits at 42% on Rotten Tomatoes, though Charlie Cox has defended Affleck’s Matt Murdock performance while criticizing the movie itself.

I have a soft spot for the film's early-2000s comic-book weirdness, but some moments practically demand an explanation. Affleck apparently agrees. I've watched that movie more times than I'd care to admit, and somehow that question has never occurred to me.

The Pearl Harbor performer praised the Marvel boss for understanding what moviegoers want and managing the extraordinarily difficult balancing act of superhero storytelling. The actor even suggested Feige was practically the only Hollywood producer who reliably knew what audiences would respond to.

Coming from someone who played both Daredevil and Batman, that carries some weight. Affleck experienced superhero filmmaking before the MCU existed and later witnessed the considerable difficulties surrounding DC's Justice League. He knows how quickly these enormous productions can become complicated.

As for another shot at Matt Murdock, Affleck revealed Feige hasn't approached him about returning, though he jokingly wishes he would. He also acknowledged that he feels largely finished with superhero movies.

Meanwhile, Charlie Cox has spent more than a decade making the character his own through Daredevil and Daredevil: Born Again, which is preparing to conclude with its third season. The Academy Award-winning writer-director may be done wearing superhero costumes, and no Affleck-led Daredevil revival is on the 2026 movie schedule, but the genre certainly isn't slowing down. Plenty of superhero movies are on the horizon, including major projects from both Marvel and DC. Meanwhile, fans can revisit Batfleck’s turn as Mattfleck in the original DD movie with a Disney+ subscription.

I like HBO because it still feels like one of the few places willing to spend serious money making television worth talking about. I have plenty of complaints about House of the Dragon, especially its pacing, but when one of those massive battles hits, and an enormous dragon screams out of the clouds, I can see where the budget went. Ben Affleck, however, has an idea about how we might get that spectacle faster. And it has me worried.

A clip of the Argo filmmaker discussing artificial intelligence, see below, has resurfaced in a post from Yashar Ali on X. The footage actually comes from a 2024 CNBC Delivering Alpha event, where Affleck was asked whether AI might threaten filmmaking. His answer was mostly optimistic about human creativity, but his example involving House of the Dragon and Succession has stuck with me for a much less cheerful reason:

Affleck doesn't think AI overlords will take over all of cinema anytime soon. However, he suggests generative AI could take some of the expensive, time-consuming work out of effects-heavy TV. As he put it:

That probably sounds fantastic to anyone who spent two years waiting for HotD to return on the 2026 TV schedule. Showrunner Ryan Condal has explained that filming alone can take roughly a year, followed by another seven months of making the dragons. I certainly wouldn't complain about shorter gaps between seasons if the resulting episodes were just as good.

Affleck then went further, imagining a day when someone could pay around $30 to request a custom Succession episode. Want Kendall Roy to win the company and run away with Stewy? Considering what actually happened in Succession's series finale, I can see why some viewers might be tempted to request a different ending. The Animals filmmaker acknowledged that the result might look awkward and argued that such uses should involve negotiated rights.

The Oscar winner also stressed that he did not expect AI to replace actual filmmakers. His broader argument was that cheaper production could mean more shows for viewers, which is a fair hope. Yet I'm less convinced studios will treat every dollar saved as permission to make better television.

HBO has earned its reputation with some of the most talked-about TV shows ever made, including The Sopranos, The Wire, Succession and Game of Thrones. Even when House of the Dragon frustrates me, the network still backs ambitious productions and lets talented people make difficult creative decisions. However, that doesn't mean the established auteurs won't still experiment with the tech.

High-profile filmmakers are already creating with the technology. Earlier this year, Darren Aronofsky's AI-generated American Revolution series raised similar concerns about the future of creative work. I mean, I personally wasn't a big fan of this piece of American history, considering it gave uncanny valley vibes. But, still, if Aronofsky is willing to throw his name behind AI, who's next?

Now, imagine an executive looking at AI-generated effects, shorter schedules and personalized episodes and deciding that viewers will accept a cheaper version of all that. The risk is that the technology becomes an excuse to squeeze budgets and crews while filling your HBO Max subscription with endless recognizable IP.

It's also worth remembering that House of the Dragon isn't delayed solely because someone needs to render scales on Vhagar. Actors have schedules. Scripts need revisions. Sets, costumes and whole performances have to come together. With that in mind, speeding up one part of the process does not magically solve everything else.

I understand why Ben Affleck sees opportunity here. I can even see AI tools helping artists with specific tasks. But the idea of ordering a disposable, computer-generated Succession episode leaves me cold. I want writers who know those characters deciding what happens to Kendall Roy, even when they make choices that drive me nuts.

HBO still sets a high bar for television. I'd rather wait for another great season than help teach the industry how far that bar can be lowered.

Out of all the movies that people claim are the worst of all time, one that stands out is Gigli. On the surface, the film was a smart move for both of the stars, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, as they would be working with acclaimed Scent of a Woman filmmaker Martin Brest. However, the movie was disastrous, with a ridiculous plot, some offensive dialog, and a pretty silly depiction of the central relationship. Now, Affleck is looking back at the infamous film and his real-life romance that impacted it.

Affleck revealed that Gigli essentially got caught up in the tabloid fodder surrounding his relationship with Jennifer Lopez on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. They'd met on the set of the movie, started a relationship, and were already an iconic couple before the project premiered. The actor said of the movie:

From 2001 to 2003, the two were everywhere. They were on the cover of magazines, were on red carpets, and Affleck famously starred in Lopez's "Jenny from the Block" music video. The Gone Girl star believes that this overexposure had a negative impact on Gigli. The situation was made worse when the movie in question wasn't very good and was quickly considered to be one of the worst movies ever made. Affleck said that he thinks the extreme negativity was a little outsized, explaining:

He is right that very few people actually saw it. It was made on a $75.6 million budget, and only grossed about $7.3 million. The amount of criticism they got from this situation only piled on to the negative press they were already getting from being overexposed. The movie by itself likely didn’t tank the relationship, but it certainly didn’t help the situation. Gigli came out in August 2003; by September the duo decided to postpone their wedding due to the amount of media attention, and by January 2004 they were over (at least for the time being).

Gigli may have seemed like a career ender at the time. However, the duo ended up coming out on top. Affleck used the situation as a learning experience and had a lustrous movie career after he decided to start making his own movies, starting with 2007’s Gone Baby Gone.

Lopez ended up focusing more on music and is a bestselling recording artist. The duo even gave their love another shot a few years back, and while they ended up getting divorced in January 2025, they seem to still have a lot of respect for each other. It certainly isn’t a bright spot on their careers, but Gigli may not have actually been the disaster we all thought that it was.

Those curious can revisit Gigli now by renting the film on Amazon. Ben Affleck fans can also check out his latest film Animals, which is currently streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Ever hear people complaining about an actor looking ‘too modern’ for a historical drama? If you say no, then I’m pretty sure you’re not being truthful. Netflix’s Persuasion (2022) caught a lot of criticism from fans over Dakota Johnson’s casting, as they believed she looked ‘too modern’ for the Regency era. Though it wasn’t on my Bingo card that a former Batman star would be the one explaining the phenomenon. Ben Affleck just explained what ‘iPhone Face’ in Hollywood is, and now I can’t unsee it.

I never thought about Affleck looking contemporary. Though I also have to admit, when I do think of the actor's movies, I don’t typically think about historical dramas. Apparently, neither do his children, who are the ones that first schooled him on the term. He shared the story with Kareem Rahma on Subway Takes:

The actor shares three children with his ex-wife Jennifer Garner, and this isn’t the first time they’ve roasted him. They’ve previously called out Armageddon for not being “a logic-based film.” Kids have a way of keeping us humble. While his children think he looks too contemporary, the actor HAS starred in a historical drama not too long ago with his BFF Matt Damon.

In 2022, Affleck starred in Ridley Scott’s The Last Duel, which was set during 14th-century France (aka the Hundred Years' War). The movie, a book-to-screen adaptation based on a work by Eric Jager (which was based on real events), told the story of the last officially recognized judicial duel. Unfortunately, it bombed at the box office, but fans seemed to genuinely enjoy Affleck’s role. The poor performance in theaters hasn't stopped the actor from loving the film, but he does admit he understands the iPhone Face complaints in an exchange with Rahma:

• Ben Affleck: I did a period movie actually, that I really liked. It was a bomb, but part of it was like, I kind of understood what they mean. If you know somebody and you’re pretty familiar with them, and all of a sudden when you see them in the Middle Ages, you’re kind of like, ‘Ah, bullshit.’
• Kareem Rahma: I don’t think you have iPhone Face.
• Ben Affleck: You don’t think so?
• Kareem Rahma: I don’t think you have iPhone Face. I think Austin Butler, who I like, has iPhone face.
• Ben Affleck: Austin Butler is a very talented actor. You think he’s just good-looking. You know what I mean? That’s not necessarily iPhone face.

I didn’t expect Austin Butler to be called out like that, especially since the actor has multiple historical roles under his hat, including Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis. However, I enjoyed how quick Affleck was to defend him. Overall, iPhone Face certainly hasn’t stopped big-name actors from taking a chance on history. You don’t need to go any further than this year, which gave us everything from Wuthering Heights to The Odyssey. Both have a stacked cast.

However, before The Odyssey even hit theaters, it was already seeing some fan criticism over a few of the casting choices. Additionally, similar to how Netflix tweaked Persuasion to have modern dialogue, this movie also received complaints about the American accents used. Does this mean there’s an ‘iPhone Voice’?

Thankfully, Affleck hasn’t had to worry about his iPhone Face standing out as his more recent works have been contemporary. At the beginning of the year, he starred in The Rip, which was loosely inspired by 2016 events, and Animals, which takes place in modern-day LA. (Both movies can be watched with a Netflix subscription.)

The big question is: if Affleck has an iPhone Face, does Matt Damon? He did score big with The Odyssey.

Ben Affleck isn’t shy about sharing his opinions, and he has been open about staying off social media because of it. Turns out, the actor knows from experience that he’d be a terrible influencer and would get in trouble online if he tried. To prove that point, the actor admitted he’d been on Instagram twice and totally got banned...twice.

However, he was not banned for a bad reason. This all came up during an interview conducted in the offices of Artists Equity, the company Affleck founded with his best friend Matt Damon. Buried in that conversation with Variety, he shared an oddly wholesome reason why he got kicked off Instagram:

While he's not (or maybe I should say no longer) on Instagram, the actor has experience being the subject of gossip in celebrity magazines, and he continues to be the subject of rumors. He’s definitely a celebrity who is known to be popular tabloid fodder. So, I get why he'd want to keep his Instagram low-key, and I do think it’s endearing that he was banned for simply using his own name. There’s a dad joke in there somewhere.

In the interview, Affleck also addresses how social media has been incorporated into an actor’s persona. This has proven to be especially true over the last few years, with stardom becoming more dependent on social media following. (For example, Dwayne Johnson considers social media to be the most critical part of marketing a project.) However, this isn’t something that Affleck feels is necessary and argues that it doesn’t factor into how he appreciates an actor’s work:

This is reflective of statements Affleck has made before, in which he said that “people don’t want to hear all that much from actors.” This is understandable given how much of his personal life has been made public. He has previously opened up about the low bar the public has for him. Plus, social media is not for everyone, and the Argo star is far from the only actor who doesn’t use it. However, I bet most of the actors who don't have public accounts can't say they've been banned twice.

While Affleck prefers to stay away from Instagram (and apparently the platform doesn't want him), he does see its value and the craft that goes into it. In fact, he stated that both Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner “do amazing jobs cultivating and accruing value in those spaces.”

Now, instead of trying to get back on Instagram, the Good Will Hunting actor has been focused on building his company and creating movies. Currently, his project Animals can be watched with a Netflix subscription, along with The Rip, which came to the streamer in January.

He has yet to announce projects for next year, and don’t expect to find those updates on social media. Although I’m curious if he’d ever try Instagram a third time (and if this would result in him getting banned again).

Spoilers for Animals lie ahead, so read on with that in mind.

Animals is one of the latest titles to hit the 2026 movie schedule, and it has quite a bit to offer. Directed by and starring Ben Affleck, this thriller centers around a mayoral candidate and his wife (Kerry Washington), who find themselves reeling after their son is apparently kidnapped. Also drawn into the situation are the couple’s maid and her boyfriend, who are played by Luis Gerardo Méndez and Adriana Paz, respectively. CinemaBlend recently spoke to the two, who discussed the film’s depiction of the Mexican-American experience.

Cecilia Trujillo (Paz) and Ramon Valle (Méndez) live very different lives from the former’s employees, the Kimballs. While Cecilia works to make a living as a housekeeper, Ramon is an undocumented worker, who struggles to find work due to his citizenship status. Their worlds are turned upside down when Ramon’s son, Hector, is unwittingly kidnapped in place of the Kimballs’ son, Denny. That’s just one facet of the character’s arcs, though, and Méndez spoke about one key element the film tackles that rings true to his culture:

Personally, I’d argue that this 2026 Netflix release does present a somewhat more nuanced take on the relationship between Mexican Americans and their white employers. But, on top of that, Ramon and Cecilia are also two people who aren’t just willing to sit around while Ramon remains in captivity. That’s especially evidenced by the fact that Ramon makes his way out of the Kimballs’ house to locate one of the conspirators who’s watching the compound. Méndez also says this:

Throughout the movie, both Cecilia and Ramon must make some very big decisions, and that’s especially the case when it comes to the latter. (I won’t go into the specifics of Animals’ ending here, but Ramon plays a key role in the third act.) Méndez also spoke to the complexities of behavior and how that applies to his and Paz’s characters:

Paz agreed with her co-star’s observations, and she also discussed another key component of Mexican Americans’ experiences in the U.S. – their interactions with helpful people they meet in the U.S. The Emilia Pérez star shared some thoughts on how that’s reflected in the movie:

Affleck seemed to take care in depicting Mexican Americans, and the community as a whole plays heavily into the film. One of the key subplots involves his character, Mark, trying to gain support from the Latin community during his run for mayor. There are also several scenes in which Mark speaks Spanish, and Paz and Méndez praised Affleck’s bilingualism. Authentic Mexican representation has seen strides in some regards, and I’d hope that this movie helps further the trend of creating nuanced roles that reflect the culture.

Check out Animals by streaming it with a Netflix subscription now.

“I’m Batman!” Well, not really, but that’s a piece of dialogue that’s been a beloved part of pop culture for decades now. Various actors have played Batman in live-action projects and gotten to deliver dialogue as Gotham’s protector via specific voices they craft for the character. Ben Affleck – like his predecessors and successors – had his own distinct Batman voice, which was quite low. So you can imagine that I was humorously thrown for a loop when hearing him deliver the aforementioned line in a very different tone of voice.

Affleck’s Batman appears in a few DC Extended Universe films, and it’s hard for me to get his cadence out of my head. Yet what would it sound like if the Oscar-winning multihyphenate were to declare himself the Dark Knight while using his somewhat regular voice. Well, that’s what Affleck did when he appeared on a recent episode of the Happy Sad Confused podcast. During a discussion about his approach to Batman’s voice, Affleck used a different tone to say a few lines, and it’s the stuff Knightmares are made of:

OK, maybe it’s not totally a Knightmare, which is the DCEU’s post-apocalyptic reality in which Darkseid ravages the Earth. However, I’d be lying if I said it weren’t jarring to hear Affleck say the lines like that. On the other hand, though, once a person gets past the wild nature of the vocals, it’s actually quite funny in some respects. I think of it as having a somewhat Steve Urkel-esque quality. Ultimately, Affleck was trying to make a point about the importance of forming a good Batman voice. On his approach, Affleck said:

Personally, I think the actor made the right call with his choice of vocal style for the famous DC Comics character. I mean, imagine Bats talking to Joker during the Knightmare sequence in the tone of voice Affleck uses in his recent interview. The responses fans would share online would likely be wild and pretty laughworthy. I’d argue that any kind of scene like that would have the internet staying power of the “Sadfleck” meme (which still makes the rounds today).

Affleck is pretty far-removed from his Batman days (and the backlash his casting sparked) these days and has been working on a host of other projects, including his newest directorial debut on the 2026 movie schedule, Animals. Still, the filmmaker does discuss his Dark Knight days on occasion and, more recently, he got real about his highs and lows in the DCEU. At the same time, he also shared his praise for Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige, who he called a “genius.”

Feige does indeed understand comics and, with that, I think he’d agree with Affleck in that a "farcical" take on Batman’s voice just wouldn’t work. The cat (or I guess, the Bat?) is out of the bag now, as we now have a taste of what a higher pitched Batman would sound like, thanks to Ben Affleck. I’m not sure I’ll ever get his “I’m Batman” line out of my head and, if the internet does its thing, this could end up becoming a new viral video clip that adds to Batfleck’s social media lore.

Check out Affleck’s performances as Batman – sans the voice he used in the interview – by streaming the DCEU films with an HBO Max subscription.

Be warned, as major spoilers for Animals lie ahead.

Animals is the latest directorial effort from Ben Affleck, and it’s also one of the newest titles to hit the 2026 movie schedule. The film, in which Affleck also plays one of the lead roles, revolves around a mayoral candidate and his wife, whose relationship unravels as they deal with their son’s apparent kidnapping. Yet the paradigm shifts for them and those in their orbit when a new revelation comes to light. CinemaBlend spoke to Affleck about his new flick, and he not only broke down the ending but shared some details on the main villain.

California-based politician Mark Kimball and his wife, Abigail (Kerry Washington) are distraught when someone calls and claims they’ve kidnapped their son, Denny (Christopher Woodley) and wants $7 million for his safe return. They are relieved, however, when Denny returns home on his own after trick-or-treating. However, it’s revealed that the true kidnapee is the child Denny was with, Hector (Jacob Estrada) – who’s the son of Ramon (Luis Gerardo Méndez), the man Kimball family maid, Cecilia Trujillo (Adriana Paz) is dating.

The Kimballs eventually decide to save Hector regardless, with the help of enigmatic deal broker Dayle Burton (Gillian Anderson). The Kimballs later, however, take Dayle up on her offer to have the kidnapper killed during the cash exchange. Ultimately, the situation ends with Hector being saved, and the kidnappers – along with Gayle and her assistant, Rand – being killed. When CB spoke to Affleck, he didn’t divulge the exact identity of the lead antagonist, but he shared some details on the character’s backstory and link to Mark:

Affleck is indeed right that there are clues that seem to allude to the identity of the main kidnapper, and a solid theory is that the character – played by Matt Gerald – could be James Bureaux. Viewers may recall that Bureaux is the man who Mark researches at the beginning of the movie. That would track, given what the director/leading man says about the man who kidnaps Hector:

During the 2026 Netflix movie, Mark attempts to appeal to the Los Angeles community, as he attempts to become mayor. It’s also a big gamble for the Spanish-speaking politician, as he seeks pretty much all of his assets into his campaign. Given Mark’s position and status as a wealthy man, it would make sense that the man (who may or may not be Bureaux) would target him. At the end of the day, though, Affleck seems to be concerned with much more than just audiences knowing the criminal’s identity:

It seems like Affleck put a lot of thought into this narrative, and that tracks, given how passionate he’s been when speaking about his work on the film. At one point, it looked like Animals wouldn’t even happen, but Affleck revived it. However, by that point, the original leading man, Matt Damon, had to step away to film The Odyssey, and Jennifer Garner dropped out as well. What Affleck ultimately crafts is a classic thriller filled with political and social undertones.

As for the villain, I’d be surprised if Ben Affleck ever overtly revealed their identity but, then again, that’s just more reason for viewers to check out the movie and make their own assumptions. So, on that note, grab a Netflix subscription and stream Animals now.

Few celebrity friendships are arguably as tight as Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s as the two stars knew each other long before they became famous. The Boston-bred pair were childhood pals who pushed each other and eventually found success in Hollywood, in great part due to Good Will Hunting, which they won Oscars for. Because Damon and Affleck are still so close, they don’t mind ribbing each other now and then. Affleck recently trolled his buddy over The Odyssey again, but his thoughts also signify how close they are.

Ben Affleck has been promoting his directorial entry on the 2026 movie schedule release, Animals, and has revealed some interesting behind-the-scenes details. While making the rounds, the filmmaker revealed that before he decided to play the lead role, Damon was supposed to take it on. However, due to delays, Damon had to bow out to film The Odyssey. This came up during Affleck’s recent chat on The Today Show, and he had all the jokes when discussing his pal’s decision. Take a look:

It’s been fun to watch Affleck poke fun at Damon over his decision to join Christopher Nolan’s box-office breaking historical epic. As can be seen in the Instagram video above, the Daredevil alum has no trouble joking not only about Damon but the film he headlined this past summer. As Affleck said when he joked about not being the first choice for the lead:

As a fan, I find it hard not to love whenever Damon or Affleck jab each other, but that’s just one part of their awesome friendship. There’s also the part that sees the two expressing true happiness when one of them lands a new opportunity. With that in mind, Affleck gives off true proud friend vibes during the interview as well:

Now, these comments represent friendship goals. I’d like to assume that many of us have those friends we’ve known long enough that can troll them in fun ways. But, at the end of the day, there’s nothing but pure love, and we can also celebrate each other’s successes. There’s also that sense of camaraderie, which Damon and Affleck have and is one of the biggest reasons they wanted to reunite to work on The Rip, another 2026 release.

So yes, Affleck and Damon can roast each other over getting in shape for a film or comparing the beards they grow for roles. Fans should remember, however, that at the heart of that ribbing is firm friendship that’s withstood the test of time. Here’s hoping that that bond – and the occasional roasting – will continue for years to come.

Check out Ben Affleck in Animals, which is currently available to stream with a Netflix subscription. Fans can also see Affleck acting alongside Damon in The Rip, which can also be found on the aforementioned streamer.

It’s fair to say that almost from his first days in Hollywood, Ben Affleck has had more than his fair share of haters. For whatever reason, some people just love to diss the multi-Oscar-winning producer, writer, director, and actor. I’m not one of those haters. I’ve been a fan of Affleck's movies ever since I watched Dazed and Confused and Mallrats on repeat in college in the ‘90s. One of the things I like about him is that he is definitely self-aware and always a little self-deprecating–two traits I really admire. He showed both those qualities during a recent appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

In the interview, Meyers brought up Affleck winning the celebrity edition of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, with the grand prize being donated to the Eastern Congo Initiative, Affleck’s charity in the DR Congo. Affleck immediately gave credit to his partner, 31-time Jeopardy! Champion Jamie Ding, one of the biggest winners in Jeopardy! history. Affleck told Meyers he was hesitant to play at first, until he was told who he would be partnered with. As Affleck explained when the pitch was made to him:

So there’s that first quality I appreciate: he’s self-aware of what he thinks are his limitations. Though, as Millionaire showed, he’s being a little self-deprecating there. He was even more so when he followed up that answer with a comment about how people constantly underestimate him. Affleck said:

It’s not just movie fans or people in Hollywood, either. Apparently, that goes even more for his personal life, too. As Affleck added:

Watch the whole exchange here:

I have to say, as a former resident of Boston, “Sully” is perfect for the joke. That aside, it is kind of incredible that after decades of success in Hollywood with movies like Good Will Hunting, Argo (both of which he won Oscars for), The Town, and, you know, playing Batman, people still love to cut Affleck down. Most recently, we have Animals, which hits the 2026 movie schedule this week and can be viewed with a Netflix subscription. Maybe it really is because of his “colorful history,” as he alludes to. I don’t get it.

It’s the Gone Girl star who always gets the last laugh, though, as he just keeps churning out great movies both in front of and behind the camera.

David Fincher has plenty of great movies, chief among them being 2014's Gone Girl. The book-to-screen adaptation was universally acclaimed upon its release, with a ton of praise coming to both Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck. Someone recently asked if a prosthetic was used for Affleck's nude scene, and his response was A+.

Shortly after it was released, Gone Girl's nude scene started making headlines. After all, there is a brief moment where Affleck's penis is seemingly in view during that iconic shower scene between Nick and Amy Dunne. In a recent conversation with Variety, he was asked whether or not he wore a prosthesis in that sequence, with the Oscar winner responding by saying:

That was honest. Despite the debate online, Affleck admits that he actually went nude during the full-frontal moment in Gone Girl. It wasn't a fake penis, but the actor/director/filmmaker's anatomy on display. I have to assume that there are plenty of people who are going to give that movie a rewatch as these comments start making the rounds online.

Ben Affleck refused to wear a Yankees hat in Gone Girl, but he evidently didn't mind going nude for Nick's reunion with Amy in the shower. That's just where his priorities were at the time, and he seems to stand by both of those costume decisions. Or in the case of the shower, the lack of a costume.

In recent years, prosthetics have become quite common for nude scenes, both on TV and film. Jason Isaacs wore a fake penis for The White Lotus Season 3 (which is streaming with an HBO Max subscription), while 28 Years Later had one for a hulking zombie. Most recently, Alexander Skarsgård used a prosthetic for a nude scene in Pillion, which otherwise would have shown quite a lot of the actor.

Prosthetic penises might have slowly become commonplace in recent years, but that wasn't necessarily the case when Gone Girl was shooting back in 2013. I've got to give Affleck credit for being so brave as to expose himself on film, which will live forever and can be watched whenever cinephiles want to. David Fincher's movie became an instant classic upon its release, and the performances of its leading actors are especially key to the way audiences responded to it. Although a touch of nudity doesn't hurt either.

While Gone Girl isn't streaming anywhere, it can be purchased online in places like Amazon and Apple. As for Ben Affleck, he's always keeping busy with a variety of acting, producing, directing, and writing gigs. The next big movie release will be Animals on October 9th as part of the 2026 movie release list and arriving on Netflix.

It’s fair to say that Ben Affleck is a man of many talents. He can act, write and direct and, if that weren’t enough, he’s also a skilled producer, with those skills having earned him one of his Oscars. Those who’ve long followed Affleck’s career and personal life may also be aware that he’s bilingual, as he can speak Spanish fluently. He was able to put that skill to use in his latest 2026 movie schedule entry, Animals. CinemaBlend recently spoke to two of Affleck’s co-stars, and they shared a funny take on his “sexy” delivery of the language.

This 2026 Netflix movie release sees Affleck (who also directs) playing mayoral candidate Mark Kimball, who – along with his wife, Abigail (Kerry Washington) – experiences a crisis when their son is kidnapped. Mark and Abigail’s crisis ultimately has far-reaching ramifications, and married undocumented immigrants played by Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez end up being drawn into it. When CB spoke to Méndez and Paz, who are both of Mexican descent, we asked about their director/co-star’s Spanish, and Paz said:

Believe it or not, the “coach” Paz referred to wasn’t a specified member of the crew but instead Méndez. In fact, as the Me Time alum explained, Affleck told him directly that he wanted him to be his dialect coach. Méndez did indeed assist his colleague and, while Affleck ultimately nailed it, his Spanish also sounded “very sexy.”

There's actually a really funny reason for this, and I'm so glad Méndez told us about it. It all goes back to Affleck's formative years...

Anyone who’s seen a telenovela can likely tell you that many of them are very over-the-top, and that motif extends to the way actors deliver dialogue. Honestly, that’s pretty much a trope of many soap operas at this point.

However, it’s cool and funny to hear that it worked for the purposes of Affleck’s latest role. Paz also spoke to the significance of the filmmaker speaking her native language in the film:

On the whole, this movie was a bit of a passionate project for Affleck, who was originally set to direct the film with his buddy, Matt Damon, and his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, playing the lead roles. However, the project was eventually put on the back burner and, when it was revived, Damon stepped away to film The Odyssey. Affleck decided to take on the role in Damon’s place, though Garner exited the project, after advising her ex that playing spouses may be distracting to audiences. Luckily, though, Affleck cast Washington.

All in all, Ben Affleck and his cast – which also includes beloved actors like Steven Yeun and Gillian Anderson – seem to have enjoyed their time working together. The trailers suggest the stars are giving it their all and, based on Adriana Paz and Luis Gerardo Méndez, audiences will also want to take note of Affleck’s sexy way of speaking spanish. Check out Animals when it becomes streamable for Netflix subscription holders starting on October 9.

Ben Affleck’s time as Batman in the now-defunct DCEU was tumultuous. Not because of anything the star did, but because the franchise itself was chaotic. I don’t have to remind fans about all that went down behind the scenes of Justice League between the Joss Whedon version and the later Snyder Cut version of the film from director Zack Snyder. Now that the DCEU has evolved into the DCU with James Gunn and Peter Safran at the top, Affleck is reflecting on his time as Batman and the broader landscape for superhero movies.

It Wasn’t All Bad Within The DCEU

Affleck spoke to Variety this week in anticipation of his latest movie, Animals, which hits the 2026 movie schedule on October 9 and will be available to stream with a Netflix account. In the conversation, Affleck touched on his time as the Caped Crusader and what he thought worked, and what he thought wasn’t as great. Affleck told Variety:

Affleck added that the overall dark nature of the Justice League hurt the movie with younger audiences, and I agree with that. He added that it’s a struggle to find a balance between broad appeal and darker stories that have been so popular in comics over the last 30 years. He added:

He then took some time to compliment the head of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, Kevin Feige, and his ability to seemingly always know what needs to be done in the MCU. Affleck said:

In the wide-ranging interview, Affleck touched on a lot of issues surrounding Hollywood, from the dearth of true movie stars to the consolidation of movie studios. That obviously includes superhero movies, though he doesn’t get into the debate over whether audiences have superhero fatigue or not.

As of now, there isn’t a Batman in the proper DCU, as Gunn and Safran seem content to let the Matt Reeves version of the character shine for now, before putting the focus on him in the flagship franchise. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Affleck again in the franchise, perhaps as an older, wiser version of the iconic superhero. He certainly seems wise about the state of Hollywood today.

Ben Affleck has spent so much of his adult life as tabloid fodder that some people probably know more about the alleged contents of his Dunkin’ order than they do about some of his movies. Bennifer alone generated enough headlines for several lifetimes, and even relatively mundane activities tend to become internet events. Remember the Sad Affleck meme and those miserable-looking cigarette photos? Of course you do. Well, someone finally asked him about all that tabloid ink spilled on him and he’s more candid than I’d ever have guessed.

During a new installment of GQ’s One More Question, the outlet brought up one particularly bizarre stretch in early 2025, when the former Batman performer was simultaneously dealing with rumors that his home had burned in the Los Angeles fires and that the FBI had raided the property. His response was much more resigned than angry, as he explained:

That particular FBI story eventually had a much less exciting explanation. Affleck later said agents had simply been going door to door in the area asking residents whether they had information connected to an investigation. Because paparazzi happened to be outside his home, photos of federal agents at the Armageddon actor’s front door became something considerably more dramatic when parceled out online.

The Gone Girl star seems fascinated by how quickly that kind of misinformation gets absorbed, but also forgotten.

That feels uncomfortably accurate. A bizarre celebrity rumor can dominate social media for 12 hours, get corrected two days later and then live forever inside somebody’s vague memory as “Didn’t that happen?” What surprised me most is how little Ben seems interested in fighting to correct the narrative anymore.

When the host jokingly wondered whether the actor had finally become enough of a middle-aged dad to age out of the tabloid frenzy, the Jersey Girl star said he has been hoping for exactly that for roughly 20 years. At 54, with three children and decades of fame behind him, he sounded perfectly comfortable with the possibility that the celebrity microscope might eventually move somewhere else.

That is quite a journey for someone whose relationships, career choices and facial expressions have all become national news at various points. The Animals director also made clear that he doesn't see himself as some grand victim of fame. He acknowledged the unusual life he's been able to live and suggested that enough ridiculousness eventually makes it easier to shrug off.

These days, Affleck has plenty else occupying him. He is back behind the camera for Animals, which he directed and stars in alongside Kerry Washington. The thriller arrives Oct. 9 as part of the 2026 movie calendar schedule, while Affleck continues to run Artists Equity, the production company he co-founded with Matt Damon.

Ben Affleck is no stranger to rumors, especially when they’re about his relationships. Case in point: his public split with Jennifer Lopez after two years of marriage and famously after rekindling the relationship they had in the early ‘00s. So naturally, the Hollywood rumor mill is rampant with who the A lister will date next and Affleck just reacted to the rumor that Ana Navarro tried to set him up with Shakira.

The rumor in question allegedly occurred when Ana Navarro stopped by The View and shared that she attempted to set up Affleck with pop sensation Shakira. An idea that she supposedly pitched to Affleck’s best friend and frequent co-star Matt Damon. Though apparently Affleck missed the memo. So imagine his surprise when he visiting Entertainment Tonight to promote his Netflix movie Animals, that he learned about the rumor. His reaction:

The actor proceeded to call out how “stuff gets made up,” and I’m sure he knows better than anyone about how quickly rumors spread. Especially if they have to do with his relationships. This particular gossip came after both his and Shakira’s high-profile splits. She split with Gerard Piqué after 11 years following cheating rumors. Obviously this creates the perfect storm for rumors to circulate about the two love lives. It doesn’t take much for celebrities to be linked.

So this isn’t the first (and certainly won’t be the last) time that Affleck’s relationships will be the subject of rumors. He was last talked about when he revealed that he initially cast his ex-wife Jennifer Garner in his upcoming movie Animals. The role was originally meant to be alongside Matt Damon but when he dropped out, Affleck took over the part and Garner decided to step away from the project. This was something that Jennifer Lopez allegedly had strong feelings about, and yes, for those keeping track, that's another rumor. So it makes sense that Affleck would be quick to clarify whether or not people try and set him up on dates:

The biggest priority in his life right now seems to be his three children, who he shares with Garner. He states that he is happy and comfortable with where he is in life. These are words that an insider close to the actor has previously shared, stating that he's happy with where he is in life. Furthermore, Affleck isn't currently pursuing a romantic relationship. He clarifies, "I'm open to it but I'm not trying to chase anything."

In addition to his children, his focus is on his career. Currently he has been promoting Animals which is a project that he both stars in (alongside Kerry Washington) and directs. The movie is coming to the 2026 movie schedule on October 9 and can be watched with a Netflix subscription.

While I'm sure there's another rumor not far in Affleck's future, for now we know for sure that he and Shakira are not being set up.

When it comes to amiable ex-spouses in Hollywood, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner arguably top the list. The former couple have maintained a firm relationship since they divorced in 2018 after 13 years of marriage and continue to co-parent their three kids. Believe it or not, Affleck initially cast Garner in his 2026 movie schedule entry, Animals, before she dropped out. Affleck still wants to work with Garner at some point and, all the while, his other ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez, allegedly has strong feelings about that.

Affleck originally cast Garner to co-lead Animals alongside Matt Damon, and the two would’ve played spouses in the film. However, due to external changes, the project was scrapped for a time before being revived. By that point, though, Damon couldn’t commit due to filming The Odyssey, so director Affleck decided to take on the lead role. Yet Garner reasoned that in that case, it would be best for her to drop out due to their personal “baggage” possibly being distracting.

During the interview in which the Argo director revealed Garner’s reasoning, he also expressed an eagerness to collaborate with her down the road. A source recently spoke to In Touch Weekly, reaffirmed Affleck’s desire, saying:

The insider opines that it makes sense for Affleck to want to work with Garner, who’s a “hot commodity” right now, especially due to her new show, The Five-Star Weekend. On the other side of this, the source alleges that JLo “is very aware that Ben is planning to do something with” Garner. The unnamed individual doesn’t suggest that Lopez holds any ill will towards Garner herself, though they claim she does take issue with a potential collaboration between her and Affleck for one reason:

This Oscar-related allegation should be taken with a grain of salt, as no one from the “On the Floor” singer’s camp has addressed it. Furthermore, as In Touch also mentions, Affleck has collaborated with Lopez before. Affleck produced his ex-wife’s 2025 musical drama Kiss of the Spider Woman, and “Bennifer” even reunited at the premiere, where they were all smiles while hanging out. And, ahead of that, the pair also collaborated on the films Jersey Girl, Gigli and This Is Me... Now: A Love Story.

Of course, Garner has also worked with Affleck years ago on Pearl Harbor and Daredevil and became friendly while working on those films before becoming romantically involved. Animals would’ve marked their first collaboration in some time (and I would’ve loved to have seen the two share the screen). It’s hard to say if or when the exes might ever get the chance to work together again but, based on Affleck’s comments and those of the insider, the Accountant star is going to make it happen somehow.

And, in spite of the Jennifer Lopez rumors, it’s been reported that she and Ben Affleck have remained amicable, even if they don’t really hang out. It’s also been claimed that Affleck has been giving Lopez career advice in the aftermath of their 2025 divorce, though whether that translates into an actual collaboration between them is unclear. For now, know that you can check out Affleck in Animals (sans Jennifer Garner) when it becomes available for Netflix subscription owners starting on October 9.

Ben Affleck’s directing chops will be on display again with Netflix’s Animals, the 2026 movie release about a mayoral candidate dealing with his kid's kidnapping. You may not know it, but the original plan was for his buddy and frequent collaborator Matt Damon to star in the movie while Affleck himself would stay behind the camera. Damon said "no" to his pal in order to film The Odyssey, and I’m cracking up over Affleck trolling him for that.

When Ben Affleck decided to get the ball rolling on his Netflix film in February of this year, Matt Damon, who was the original lead, had also re-teamed with Christopher Nolan for The Odyssey. This led Ben Affleck to ultimately take on the lead role, but it sounds like he's still a little salty about the changes.

Or at least he's not willing to let his pal off lightly, as the Chasing Amy actor roasted his Good Willing Hunting co-star for choosing Nolan and replacing him as the lead in an interview with EW:

Well, Matt, how do you like them apples?

Listen, Ben, that “lesser film” earned the box office crown after grossing $1,696 billion worldwide, landing the highest box office this year until Spider-Man: Brand New Day took over the record. This isn't the first time Affleck's taken some cracks at The Odyssey lead either. Now I understand more why The Town star/director would rip on the Saving Private Ryan star for getting in shape for The Odyssey and having “superior facial hair” compared to his Odysseus beard. This type of celebrity roasting is always entertaining to witness.

Why Did Matt Damon Say Yes To Animals And Then Back Out?

This all goes back to 2024. As I noted, Affleck, of course, wanted his best friend Damon to portray Animals’ lead, Mark Kimball, after the two had “the best work experience” starring in Air. Even his ex-wife, Jennifer Garner, was originally going to be cast. (So, Affleck's been dealing with ALL the back outs.)

Then, two weeks into filming, the Gone Girl director heard Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest (streaming on your Apple TV+ subscription) was also being done, which had a similar plot. So, they put the project on hold for a time.

While The Martian actor may have missed out on tag-teaming with his best friend for the revived Netflix flick, I don’t think Damon will be suffering. I can see him getting a lot of attention during the next awards season for his talented portrayal of Odysseus. If that holds true, I'm sure Affleck will be there to cheer him on... as well as humorously never letting him forget ditching his Netflix movie.

Even though Matt Damon and Ben Affleck couldn’t collaborate on Animals as originally planned, at least the two got to reunite for another Netflix movie, The Rip. While filming the intense thriller came before the rescheduled production of Animals was to start, it was still considered a touching experience for the actor pals, as they've started working together again more recently on projects like this one, Air and The Last Duel.

We may have to wait a bit for the next gig together, but you can still see The Odyssey in theaters now. You can check out Animals with your Netflix subscription and in select theaters on October 9th.

The Sadfleck has become such a huge part of our collective cultural consciousness that it has its own nickname. In fact, it’s such a big deal, I wrote an entire sentence about it without even mentioning the name Ben Affleck and I still bet you knew exactly the moment I was talking about. The actor himself has encountered the meme in the wild and has commented on the viral video before in a way that was both hilarious and rueful. So, it’s certainly a defining moment for the Batman V Superman star, but I find it hard to believe it happened an entire decade ago.

You know the “Sad Affleck” meme. Back when Ben Affleck was doing press for Batman V Superman: Dawn of Justice alongside fellow star Henry Cavill, the two were asked about the reception to the Zack Snyder film. Cavill started giving a candid answer, but Affleck just sat there looking, well, sad. Then some enterprising YouTuber out Simon Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” on in the background of the video. A viral moment was born.

Now, 10 years later, that YouTuber was asked about the Sadfleck meme by Tom Butler, the Yahoo interviewer who’d originally asked about Batman V Superman’s critical reception. I’d never really thought deeply about how he’d come up with it, thinking it was a creative choice, but the viral video creator, Kyle Miller, admitted it wasn’t even something he came up with. After the interview was posted, it was actually a fan reply that got Miller thinking.

The process was a little more sophisticated than just slapping the song onto interview footage, though not much. Miller also took the opportunity to zoom in on Affleck’s face as Cavill started talking about “the interesting thing” about all the mixed reviews.

Miller says he was never paid or earned money for the viral video, but he did feel its considerable cultural impact. “Sound of Silence” briefly charted again, and the YouTuber was listening to the radio when the moment was brought up:

It was the music combination with the close-up that really made the video so memorable. Well, that and the fact that this seems to be Ben Affleck’s resting face during high-profile moments. Just check out this time he and then-wife Jennifer Lopez attended the Grammys together. Of course, more “Sad Affleck” comments rolled around. He’s a great actor, director and writer, but there’s been plenty of speculation he doesn’t love the press and promotional part of Hollywood.

It officially happened a few months ago, but I’m still shook up Zack Snyder’s movie dropped 10 years ago now. I probably shouldn’t be, as so much time has passed I'd honestly kind of forgotten Dawn of Justice was even a part of that movie title. We’ve moved on to James Gunn’s take on DC and Matt Reeves’ take on Batman, but the legacy of the Sad Affleck meme will likely live on as long as Ben Affleck does.

When it comes to famous Hollywood exes, Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner are arguably amongst the most notable. The two were married for over a decade and, while they’ve been divorced for some time now, they still remain quite friendly. As far as their personal lives go, the pair have praised each other as co-parents. And, work-wise, the pair are still so tight that Affleck was set on casting Garner in his new movie, and she accepted the role. However, Garner later dropped out of the film and that resulted from a concern.

Affleck’s latest directorial effort is the 2026 movie schedule entry Animals, a political crime thriller that sees him also starring as a mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. With that, the politician and his wife must come up with the ransom somehow after spending most of their funds on his campaign. The Oscar winner recently spoke to EW about casting the film, which was initially set to be led by Matt Damon. Affleck then recalled thinking that Garner would be perfect for the wife role:

Eventually, Garner did indeed sign on but, as time went on, some production changes came into play, as Affleck, Damon and co. decided to scrap the project. This was, in great part, due to the release of Spike Lee’s Highest 2 Lowest, as that movie has a very similar kidnapping premise. Affleck later revived the production though, by that time, Damon was unavailable due to filming The Odyssey. With that, Affleck decided to take on the role, but that gave Garner pause, as she brought up a good point:

That “baggage” that the beloved 13 Going on 30 star seemingly refers to is the collection of preconceived notions that audiences have about her and Affleck’s relationship. Considering that many obviously know about Garner and Affleck’s past marriage (during which they were swarmed by paparazzi), it may be distracting to see them play a couple on screen. While I would’ve loved to have seen her and Affleck share the screen, I think that was ultimately the right call. And, thankfully, Affleck found another great actress to play his wife, Kerry Washington.

All of this speaks to the fact that film productions can go through a considerable amount of changes during the development process. When it comes to Ben Affleck’s latest movie, it sounds like he’s pleased with how everything eventually turned out. Still, I’m holding onto hope that he and Jennifer Garner will get to work together again at some point.

Check out Animals when it becomes available on October 9 for Netflix subscription holders, and it’ll also open in select theaters that same day.

More than ever lately, it feels like children of famous actors are stepping out on red carpets with their all-grown-up kids. (Did you see the internet chatter about who Amy Adams’ daughter looks like?) The latest example is Casey Affleck and his eldest, Indiana Affleck. Casey’s new directing effort just premiered at the prestigious Venice Film Festival this week, and since Indiana is in the cast, he turned up alongside his dad and Uncle Ben.

Indiana Affleck is the 22-year-old son of Casey Affleck and his ex wife Summer Phoenix, who also happens to be the younger sister of Joaquin Phoenix. Here he is posing with the Affleck brothers and his other co-stars at the premiere of Company:

That’s him, second to the left next to Ben Affleck. And yes, the Affleck resemblance is definitely there. The photo taken on Tuesday also includes Emily Lind and Scoot McNairy, who are also in Casey Affleck’s latest movie. Check out some of the reactions to Indiana Affleck on Instagram:

• "I see some Phoenix 👏"
• "Wow he looks like dad👏"
• "That family has some good hair genes. 😂"
• "Great Genes right there Phoenix /Affleck"

Clearly, fans are noticing Indiana Affleck being both an Affleck. Although one of them also flat out stated, ""That’s a Phoenix, not an Affleck" so it's worth pointing out people are noticing his resemblance to his other Hollywood family, as well! It’s pretty wild when you think about it. Between his dad and two famous uncles, there’s four Oscar wins between them all.

Company is an anthology mystery film that he co-wrote and directed. It stars Nick Nolte, Adelaide Clemens, Ben Mendelsohn, Scoot McNairy, Emily Alyn Lind and Caylee Cowan. It also stars both of Affleck’s kids, Indiana and Atticus, the latter of which is eighteen. As Casey shared at a press conference at the Venice Film Festival (via People):

In recent years, there’s been an ongoing conversation about “nepo babies” in Hollywood. From Kate Winslet’s controversial comments about her kids being in the biz to Allison Williams’ refreshing thoughts. In terms of Company, Casey Affleck said he cast his own boys after he had them help with read-throughs of the script at home and he was impressed with their performances. As he added:

The movie just premiered the other day, but the first reactions so far are mixed so far. We don’t know right now if Company will be on the 2026 movie schedule or among upcoming 2027 movies. We’ll have to wait and see. But, now we’re curious if Indiana Affleck will break into acting like his family members.

It’s been a little over two years since Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck got divorced. Over that time, we’ve heard many updates about how they’re doing, where their relationship stands, and how they’re moving on from that chapter of their lives. Now, an insider has revealed a surprising moment JLo had with her dad that allegedly helped her move on.

This moment is all tied to the movie I’m Still Here, which is about a woman who spends years trying to find out what happened to her husband, who was taken by Brazil’s military. JLo watched the Brazilian film with her father, David Lopez, and it changed her perspective on things. Elaborating on this experience and its connection to Ben Affleck specifically, an insider alleged to Radar Online:

Earlier this year, Lopez did speak about how important watching I’m Still Here was to her. While speaking with her Office Romance co-star Brett Goldstein on his Films to be Buried With podcast, she explained that she watched the film that was nominated for Best Picture in 2025 with her parents while she was sick. At the time, she was also “going through a divorce” and “thinking a lot about [her] kids.” She recalled how the film shows a woman working for years to find her husband, and as she was watching it, and JLo got emotional because she was with her father and "calculating all of the things with [her] kids" and her dad.

After the movie, Lopez was crying, and when her dad noticed, he came over to her and said, “I love you, I always loved you.” The singer said this experience “changed her life.” Here’s why:

Now, how does this realization relate to Ben Affleck? Well, Lopez’s comments imply that watching this film and realizing the love she had for her family helped her move forward, and specifically move on from the chapter of her life she’d just been in. I’m Still Here (which you can now stream with a Netflix subscription) came out toward the end of 2024. At that point, it had only been about six months since Lopez and Affleck’s divorce was announced.

Of course, we cannot confirm how watching this film directly impacted Lopez’s relationship with her ex-husband. However, the insider claimed that watching I’m Still Here helped shift the actress’s perspective on her relationship with the Good Will Hunting star.

In the years since their divorce, it seems like the former couple has continued to support each other. Earlier this year, it was reported that the “On the Floor” singer allegedly still seeks out career advice from her ex, and in 2025, it was alleged that Affleck is still close with Lopez’s kids.

So, all around, while the divorce was hard, it seems like they’re doing just fine. It also sounds like I’m Still Here really helped Jennifer Lopez reckon with her life, this divorce and how she wanted to go through the next chapter.

Ben Affleck is no stranger to a viral moment, whether or not he’s done it purposefully. There was his Sad Affleck era, and that time he started a trend relating to Spanish words. And, of course, all those Dunkin paparazzi photos that led to him being a face of the donut chain. Now, Affleck is going viral again, and this time it’s because he’s been taking up the art of graffiti.

Last week, Los Angeles residents started taking notice of tons of Aflac ads around the city being tagged “Ben Affleck”. After the culprit was revealed to be Ben Affleck himself by TMZ on Tuesday with photographic evidence. And now the people behind the ad have explained what’s going on: Affleck and Aflac are teaming up for a big ad campaign. Per the co-president of advertising at Artists Equity, Brandon Pierce:

Artists Equity is a production company founded by longtime collaborators Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. They’ve been behind a ton of Dunkin’ ads in recent years, and now they’re working with the insurance company, Aflac. The big brand campaign has officially started with Affleck’s graffiti moment, and according to The Hollywood Reporter, it will extend into next summer. Aflac’s senior VP and CMO Garth Knutson also commented on the collaboration with these words:

Ben Affleck has commented on being frequently associated with Aflac before, to which he clarified there’s no relation. However, the insurance company’s viral commercials sound like they’ve sort of haunted him for years. As he recalled in 2022: “imagine what it’s like when you’re on an airplane and the hammered lady behind you recognizes you and she’s gonna do her best Gilbert Gottfried for six hours on the way to New York”.

He also said it’s been his “cross to bear” and he “would like a discount.” Now, he’s working with the company directly. (It was only a matter of time, right?)

We wonder how the campaign will play around with Ben Affleck’s past experience with Aflac, and its shrieking duck of a mascot. I mean, the Aflac commercials are so popular it’s almost impossible to hear Affleck’s name without hearing the Aflac duck in one’s head.

Otherwise, Ben Affleck has an upcoming film on the 2026 movie schedule called Animals. It’s a crime thriller where Affleck plays a mayoral candidate whose son gets kidnapped. It co-stars Gillian Anderson, Kerry Washington, Steven Yeun and was co-written and directed by Affleck. The movie will be available to stream with a Netflix subscription starting on October 9.

Kevin Smith has been known for working with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon during the course of his career, but I recently learned the two were actually involved in the meet-cute between Kevin Smith and his wife. At least sort of. The story is a twisted yarn that also includes the Oscar-winning movie Good Will Hunting and Chris Rock getting out on the town. It's a crazy story, truly. Let me walk you through it.

A few years back, The Ringer’s Katie Baker wrote a piece for Mallrats’ 30th anniversary, noting it was Smith that helped convince Miramax it needed to get Good Will Hunting off the ground with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon attached. More recently, when Damon spoke with Travis and Jason Kelce about getting paid $600k with Ben Affleck on their first movie, only to need a job within a year, the writer gave us some wild backstory on X about this era and how it led Kevin Smith to meet his wife.

Let me set the scene here. Smith at the time had already been famous for a while when this story commenced thanks to movies like Clerks and Mallrats. The cat story that comes up in Mallrats, which Affleck appeared in, is similar to one told in Good Will Hunting just a couple of years later, and Baker asked Smith about it.

Apparently it’s just a side note in the even crazier story of how he met his wife.

This was in 1998, after Good Will Hunting had already come out and made a name for itself. In fact, Affleck and Damon have previously credited Smith for getting the movie made. At this point, though, Affleck and Damon were the cool kids in town, though Smith was also a big name with sway who happened to be pals with the two Hollywood newcomers. (His movie, Chasing Amy, also came out the same year as Hunting.) As the Oscar race heated up, he said so did the rumors.

As cool as The Princess Bride writer is, that was not good news for the movie studio trying to promote Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. So, they asked Kevin Smith to step in and talk to a journalist about what was going on. The gist was “the boys” had talked to Goldman and “picked” his brain, but he didn’t write a draft for them.

Smith nearly forgot about this interview he'd committed to. He’d been working with Chris Rock on Dogma while Rock was also working on Lethal Weapon 4 (one reason we know it was '98 at this point), and Rock had been trying to get him to go out on the town.

Now, Kevin Smith’s wife is Jennifer Schwalbach, who worked at the time at USA Today. He said he had a pretty specific picture of what a journalist at USA Today would look like, and it was not what young or hip like she looked like when she came and knocked on the door.

I don’t think anything could get more Hollywood than this story, until Kevin Smith pointed out to Baker that without Affleck, he never would have met his wife. He concluded:

Good Will Hunting went on to win the Oscar at the 1998 Academy Awards; Ben Affleck and Matt Damon's speech from the event is legendary. Chris Rock went on to make Lethal Weapon 4; it's reception was OK, though plenty of fans of the franchise fondly remember it. Ben Affleck and Kevin Smith later had a falling out, then rekindled their friendship a few years later in 2022; Smith owned Ben Affleck's house for years before selling it in 2023.

Kevin Smith and Jennifer Schwalbach went on to become on of the enduring celebrity marriages. They were married by 1999, had Harley Quinn Smith that same year, survived Smith's heart attack, and celebrated their 27th anniversary just a few months ago. To think about it all starting with William Goldman, Good Will Hunting, and a goof around conversation with Chris Rock about a hooker is... pretty crazy honestly.

Matt Damon and Ben Affleck have been famous friends since they were kids. They embarked on their acting journey together back in Boston, Massachusetts, which led them to winning an Oscar for Good Will Hunting, which made them both movie stars. Despite both actors going off on their own, and having individually lucrative acting careers, they have always been tight, and is an enduring Hollywood friendship fans love to watch play out. Despite their 40+ year friendship, of course there are small things that they each do that bug each other, and now Damon is revealing what it is.

In a recent interview with BBC Radio 1, Damon had the pleasure of answering questions that were submitted by kids while he was there to promote one of the most anticipated movies on the 2026 movie release schedule, The Odyssey. One of the kids asked the Oscar winner if there was anything his bestie and frequent collaborator, Ben Affleck, did that annoyed him and of course he was able to think of something right away. He said:

This is such a real answer. While we all love our friends, often to make a lifelong friendship work in the long-term, you have to endure the little idiosyncrasies that might be annoying to you about the other person. Damon clearly loves Affleck and their tight bond, but it is totally fair to be annoyed at habitual lateness. I feel like we all have that one friend that we always anticipate having a loose relationship with over time, and for Damon, that seems to be Affleck.

The former Batman actor’s lateness to meetings is probably something Damon deals with a lot more now than he used to now that the duo are again working together more frequently. They have a production company called Artists’ Equity where they produce films that they occasionally star in together.

After decades of strategically working separately, they have co-starred in three films together in the last five years, with more coming. All of these films, The Last Duel, Air, and The Rip, are notably very good, which shows there is true magic when these best friends work together, extending beyond their Good Will Hunting roots.

I think the fact that they both have personality traits that annoy each other is what makes their friendship even more real. Affleck might be late, but as the Jason Bourne star mentioned in this interview, Damon is messy, saying:

Having lived and worked together, they know each other intimately enough to recognize the flaws in each other and adapt. This shorthand makes them closer, and makes the work that they do as a duo even better. They love each other for all their shortcomings, which is what makes them everyone’s favorite Hollywood “couple.”

You can see Matt Damon and Ben Affleck together in their latest movie, The Rip, which is currently streaming now with a Netflix subscription. Fans of these actors can also look forward to Affleck’s upcoming directing/acting endeavor, Animals, which Damon produced and is coming to the 2026 Netflix release schedule very soon.

Within the past few days, it’s been reported that Ben Affleck and his family have experienced a major loss. His and Casey Affleck’s mother, Chris Affleck, unfortunately passed away at the age of 83. The matriarch – whose support of her family has been well documented – reportedly died a month prior to the news breaking on July 24 and, since then, information has been released per medical reports. Among the pieces of information that have now become public is the fact that Chris was visiting Ben at the time that she died.

This detail comes from Chris Affleck’s official death certificate, which was obtained by Us Weekly. According to the outlet, the certificate specifically states that Chris was “visiting son’s residence” at 10:52 a.m. when she died on June 2. Chris reportedly died from cardiopulmonary arrest, and she’d also been battling pancreatic adenocarcinoma (or pancreatic cancer) for the last several months of her life. As of this writing, neither representatives for Ben nor Casey have spoken out about the matter.

By the time the death certificate was filed, Affleck’s remains were reportedly being transported to Earth Funeral, which is based in Las Vegas. It was also stated that an autopsy reportedly was not performed.

Considering what’s been said over the years, Ben Affleck and his mother were quite close. That relationship most prominently came into focus back in 1998, when he and Matt Damon escorted their mothers to the Academy Awards. It was there that the pair won Best Original Screenplay for Good Will Hunting and, in a very memorable Oscars speech, they thanked their mothers.

From a familial standpoint, Chris Affleck was also a grandmother to Ben three children, whom he shares (and co-parents) with ex-wife Jennfier Garner. Chris was also grandmother to Casey’s two sons with fellow actor and ex-spouse Summer Phoenix. That aside, though, Chris was also a long-time educator with a degree from Harvard University. Affleck’s obituary, as shared by The Boston Globe, said the following about her dedication to working within the school system:

When it comes to Ben Affleck, the multihyphenate has been busy throughout the year thus far. He previously marked the release of his well-received movie, The Rip, which became available to Netflix subscription holders. He’s also looking towards the release of another production from that streamer amid the 2026 movie schedule. That production is an action thriller called Animals.

It goes without saying, of course, that Affleck will now have more personal priorities to handle in the wake of his mother’s passing. Hopefully, he and his loved ones receive the privacy they need as they mourn their loss. On that note, we at CinemaBlend also extend our condolences to the Affleck family at this time.

Jennifer Garner has been a public figure for some time now and, as such, she’s more than familiar with the various elements that accompany fame. As a result, the veteran actress has had some less-than-ideal situations crop up in her personal life in which her privacy was invaded. Garner’s had plenty of run-ins with paparazzi over the years and, now, she’s opening up about how voraciously photographers pursued her (and ex-husband Ben Affleck). She even mentions red lights being run and preschoolers being knocked over.

During the 2000s, Garner and Affleck weren’t just two of the hottest stars working in Hollywood, as they also emerged as a celebrity couple and tied the knot in 2005. Garner recently reflected on the copious amount of attention she received from paps back in the early aughts. Calling the attention “totally ludicrous,” the beloved 13 Going on 30 star noted that the attention didn’t just impact her but others in proximity to her as well. While recalling traffic-related hazards, she said:

Garner is the mother of three children – Violet (20), Seraphina (17) and Samuel (13) – who she shares with Affleck. The Alias veteran also went on to detail on Netflix’s Shut Up Evan podcast how personal activities with the kids were hindered by paparazzi as well. This even came into play when one of the kids was aiming to play in a youth soccer league and during other personal moments:

Over the years, Garner has discussed some aspects of parenting her kids (who don’t tend to watch her movies). Both she and Affleck have also talked about the scrutiny they’ve faced while being in the public eye, which was particularly prominent when they began divorce proceedings in 2017. What Garner seems to care most about, though, is the way in which her kids are impacted by such attention and, amid her interview, she added this:

Many celebrities have spoken about the pitfalls of dealing with paparazzi during their daily lives. Actor Keira Knightley has spoken about obscene comments being shouted at her by photographers early in her career and, just a few years ago, Vanessa Hudgens had people snapping photos of her in the hospital after she gave birth to her first child. Many have also shared nuanced takes on constantly being captured in photos, including Michael B. Jordan, who admitted to being used to it and finding it “too quiet” when shutterbugs aren’t around.

Jennifer Garner, for her part, still understands how "privileged and lucky” she and her family are for what her fame has afforded them. Still, the entire situation, in her opinion, just became “silly.” It’s unfortunate that she and her loved ones (and others in their orbit) had to experience such pitfalls. At the very least, though, Garner seems to have a handle on it now and continues to protect her kids as she co-parents with Ben Affleck.

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s relationship has long been a topic of public discussion, to say the least. When they finalized their divorce in early 2025, it seemed like JLo was ready to permanently shut that chapter of her life. The Marry Me actress claims there’s no chance of her and Affleck rekindling their romance, but their story is apparently still not over. The two are reportedly still in touch, with the Rip actor allegedly supporting his recent ex-wife from afar.

With their once-shared mansion now completely owned and vacated by JLo, you’d think there’s not much reason for the former power couple known as Bennifer to have much contact these days. Perhaps they might coordinate time to see each other’s kids, but that is allegedly not the main way Affleck has been supporting Lopez post-divorce. An inside source claimed to In Touch Weekly that the “On The Floor” actress has reportedly continued to seek out Affleck’s advice regarding her career, and the Boston native is allegedly happy to provide it:

Just before filing for divorce in August 2024, Lopez had expressed the strange dichotomy of working with Affleck as a producer on Kiss of the Spider Woman and then going home to marital problems with him. Despite that, Affleck has always been an open supporter and hype man when it comes to Lopez’s acting and, according to the source, they both purportedly missed their professional rapport:

Should this be true, it would make sense that JLo would trust her ex-husband’s opinion when it comes to her next moves in Hollywood. The Accountant actor has quite a resume, having successfully moved from unknown writer and actor to highly respected director with his own production company.

Affleck has also known JLo since the early years of her career. He starred opposite JLo in her 2002 “Jenny From The Block” music video and then again in their 2003 action-romance Gigli, which launched their whirlwind relationship the first time around.

When they reconnected in 2021, and finally tied the knot in 2022, Affleck seemingly became very invested in Lopez’s career, serving as a producer on multiple JLo movies in the past five years, including Kiss of the Spider Woman and Unstoppable. Though the two reportedly have varied thoughts about the dating scene right now, as long as they manage to only keep things professional, the Justice League actor reportedly thinks this new dynamic could last:

Maybe this was a fairytale romance after all, just one with a more realistic ending? Regardless, Bennifer’s marriage might have ended, but that doesn’t erase all their storied history together. If a person finds someone they really trust, it can surely be beneficial to have them in their life no matter what, and that allegedly seems to be Jennifer Lopez's logic.

To that point, everything's been working out for JLo as of late. The “Let’s Get Loud” singer wrapped up her Vegas residency in March, and Office Romance -- newest rom-com with Ted Lasso writer and actor Brett Goldstein -- hit No. 1 during its first week on Netflix. You can stream the film now with a Netflix subscription.

Jennifer Garner is starring on one of the buzziest new shows of the summer — The Five-Star Weekend, which hit the 2026 TV schedule earlier this month. Reviews were overwhelmingly positive for the ensemble that includes Regina Hall, Chloë Sevigny, D’Arcy Carden and Gemma Chan. It was Garner herself, though, who drew the most praise, and apparently we have her ex-husband Ben Affleck to partially thank for making it possible.

Over the years, Jennifer Garner has prioritized the three children she shares with Ben Affleck over her career, and that hasn’t really changed as they've gotten older, she told EW. However, thanks to her ex-husband being such a trustworthy co-parent (and some filming compromises that were made), she was able to accept the main role as Hollis in the Elin Hilderbrand book-to-screen adaptation. She said:

Producers must have really liked Jennifer Garner for the role, because they found a way to shoot mostly in Los Angeles. However, the actress would still have to do one month in Nantucket. Enter Ben Affleck, who was able to take in Violet, 20, Fin, 17, and Samuel, 13, to allow his ex to join The Five-Star Weekend. Garner said:

Jennifer Garner has been co-parenting with Ben Affleck for over a decade, since their 2015 split, and it’s lovely that the mom of three knows she can lean on him when she wants to do something for herself. That said, she doesn’t at all regret turning down jobs to focus on her kids. She said:

In addition to her great relationship with Ben Affleck — which we especially saw following his divorce from Jennifer Lopez, when Jennifer Garner brought Affleck care packages, and he spent holidays with his ex and three kids — the fact that Violet, Fin and Samuel are in their teens and early 20s helps as well:

The season of having young children to care for may be coming to an end for Jennifer Garner, and while that’s surely bittersweet, it does mean that options are opening up for her. That’s especially great news for her fans, who get to see her in projects like The Five-Star Weekend. The eight-episode series is available to stream in full with a Peacock subscription.

Flashback to 2021, and you couldn't find a bigger hater of the Snyderverse than me. Hell, I even danced on its grave when we received word that it was finally over.

However, flash-forward (DC pun not intended) to 2026, and I've actually come around on the failed DCEU. Maybe it's because I wasn't in love with James Gunn's Superman, or perhaps it’s because I have no interest whatsoever in Supergirl (and apparently, I'm not alone), but I've been giving Zack Snyder's DC movies another chance recently, and oh, man. I think I owe Zack Snyder yet ANOTHER apology.

You see, I already apologized for Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice, and after rewatching the four hour long Zack Snyder's Justice League, I have to apologize again, because this movie is amazing. Here's why.

I Originally Thought This Movie Was Way Too Long. But Now, It Feels Just Right When It Comes To Pacing

You want to know what's crazy? Not too long ago, I rewatched Joss Whedon's version of Justice League, which is only two hours long, and it's so bad that it actually feels LONGER than Snyder's version, which is literally double the runtime. I think this is because Whedon's Justice League feels aimless and dull, whereas Snyder's version has direction and vision. And look, no offense to Whedon, as he was given the impossible task of reshooting aspects of Snyder's movie into something feasible for the big screen, but his version just does not work.

However, after rewatching Zack Snyder's Justice League, I am in awe at how he was able to take all of these characters and still have it all make sense. For example, in his version, Batman and Wonder Woman's quest to assemble a team really feels cohesive and organic, whereas in Whedon’s version, it all feels like a hurried mess, which is strange because it also feels plodding.

We get more backstory for all of the characters in Snyder’s version, as well as a true villain in Darkseid, who I'll get into later. Snyder's version is also (surprise, surprise) way darker in tone than Whedon's version, which is also something I now appreciate over the more upbeat Superman from James Gunn.

Honestly, it's really weird that all of the things that I once hated about the Snyderverse – the overseriousness, the darker tone, etc – I now view as pluses. However, I think there's one reason in particular why I love this movie now.

Cyborg's Story Is The Heart Of This Movie

One character who I always thought never got his time to shine when it came to the Snyderverse was Cyborg. Played by Ray Fisher, you could tell that he had a bigger role in Whedon's Justice League, but there was just something…missing.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League, however, almost the entire plot hinges on Cyborg’s role in the story. The fact that his role was truncated so much in Whedon’s version just goes to show you why that film felt like such a mess, because Victor Stone's (Cyborg) role is absolutely vital in Snyder's cut.

Stone's father, Silas (Joe Morton), is kidnapped, and Cyborg joins the team. He was a former athlete and had to be reconstructed after a horrible car accident, so his journey as a broken man to one of the saviors of the world is thoughtful and surprisingly heartfelt.

Also, being that Cyborg has such a connection to this film's Macguffin in the Mother Boxes, he’s essentially the most important character in the entire film, and I really appreciate that when watching this a second time.

I Also Find All Of The Characters-Even The Flash-To Be Interesting In This Film

You know, when I first saw Zack Snyder's Justice League, I still very much loathed all of the scenes involving Ezra Miller's The Flash. Upon a second viewing, I find that I actually like him, as well as pretty much every other member of the Justice League this time around. It might be because I, like others, actually enjoyed the eventual Flash movie that came out in 2023 (I even wrote about how it annoyed me that it didn't do better at the box office).

The Flash is incredibly important in this film. When the world starts to be destroyed, The Flash has to reverse the flow of time using the Speed Force, which allows Superman (Henry Cavill) and Cyborg to get the job done.

And, what about Aquaman? I liked Jason Momoa's first Aquaman movie - to a certain extent - but I found him super annoying in Justice League. However, I guess adding more screen time for him makes him more interesting this time around. I also think that learning more about the other metahumans and the Atlanteans makes him feel more at home here.

Not only that, but this movie has freaking Martian Manhunter (Harry Lennix) in it. I mean, it's at the end, and it's pretty much just a cameo, but at least he's here. What's not to love?

I Also Love This Version Of Darkseid

I know I keep harping on Joss Whedon's Justice League, but a big reason why I feel that movie failed was that its main antagonist, Steppenwolf (Ciaran Hinds), was super lame. It's just that he didn't seem like a worthy opponent for the likes of Superman, Wonder Woman, or The Flash.

In Zack Snyder's Justice League…well, he's still pretty lame, but much better since you don't feel like he's the REAL final boss. The main boss would be Ray Porter's Darkseid, who is a way more terrifying villain and an existential threat to humanity.

Darkseid is all about that Anti-Life Equation, and we learn that he's been a threat to Earth for millennia, what with the Old Gods waging war against him to prevent him from taking over the planet. All of this backstory really elevates the danger he presents, making him feel like a truly worthy adversary.

Unfortunately, since this was pretty much the end of the DCEU, we never got to see Darkseid get his own movie where he got to be the central villain, but I really appreciate what we got in this movie. He’s absolutely horrifying.

In The End, The Further We Get Away From The Snyderverse, The More I Find That I Miss It

When looking at the upcoming slate of DC films (and TV–let's not forget about TV), I think there's a lot to look forward to (Especially when it comes to Clayface, which I can't wait for!) Yet…I kind of now miss the Snyderverse.

I don't know what it is. It might be because I used to pledge allegiance to the MCU, and I think I viewed the DCEU as a pathetic alternative. After getting off the Marvel hype train quite a while ago, I've since been reevaluating the Snyderverse, and I think I had it all wrong.

Was it too dark and broody? Maybe, but upon reflection, it was actually a novel alternative to the overly cheery MCU. I now find that I get nothing out of movies like Captain America: The Winter Soldier or Guardians of the Galaxy upon a rewatch, and I view them more as artifacts than anything else.

Movies like Zack Snyder’s Justice League and Batman v. Superman? They just seem to get better with age. So, if you happen to be reading this, Mr. Snyder. I’m sorry! Your fans were right all along, and I’m happy that the powers that be eventually RELEASED THE SNYDER CUT!

It’s been over a decade since Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck split up, but given how much the actress supported her ex during his divorce from Jennifer Lopez — and the fact that they share three children — we know that the two remain close. Sources claim that they’re even close enough for Garner to have opinions about Affleck’s dating life. To that point, one insider is spilling the tea about why the Yes Day star allegedly thinks her ex-husband should stay single for a bit.

Bennifer 2.0 — aka Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez’s second attempt — ended in August 2024 when JLo filed for divorce on their second wedding anniversary. In the aftermath, Affleck seemed to be spending a lot of time with his ex-wife, their three kids and Jennifer Garner’s partner John Miller, even joining them for Thanksgiving and Christmas (I wonder how Miller feels about that?). Affleck has not dated anyone publicly, and sources for Page Six allege that’s how Garner thinks it should be:

Jennifer Garner reportedly helped Ben Affleck with health post-divorce by putting together care packages of food, reminding him about doctor and dentist appointments and sending him vitamins. She wasn’t the only one looking after him, though, as Matt Damon also allegedly encouraged Affleck to focus on his work during the tough times.

Ben Affleck may have a good support system, but Matt Damon and Jennifer Garner’s advice will only go so far, and Garner allegedly understands that. The source continued:

Lopez formally filed for divorce from Affleck in 2024 and, by early 2025, their split was finalized. In the aftermath, rumors swirled around the former partners' love lives and, as of late, Lopez has been open about enjoying the single life. Meanwhile, Ben Affleck may be casually dating, but that doesn’t appear to be his main priority, sources have said, and this insider concurs, saying:

In addition to The Rip, which stars Ben Affleck and Matt Damon and can be streamed with a Netflix subscription, he’s got another project in the works for the 2026 movie schedule. Animals is a crime thriller on which Affleck serves as director, producer, co-writer and star. It is expected to be a part of Netflix’s calendar this year.

Stay tuned for that as we wait to see if Ben Affleck will follow the alleged wishes of Jennifer Garner when it comes to dating.

Quentin Tarantino has never been shy about turning a movie opinion into a small controlled explosion. This is the same filmmaker who has criticized the “Marvelization” of Hollywood, questioned George Clooney’s movie-star status and set off a whole discourse grenade when he called Paul Dano “weak sauce” in There Will Be Blood. That take got enough attention that Yorgos Lanthimos later weighed in, saying people didn’t need to “pile on” the director because Dano’s work speaks for itself. So when he actually praises a new movie, it's somewhat surprising. And I didn't see him loving a recent Ben Affleck streaming movie.

According to Variety, Tarantino wrote for Sight & Sound magazine about his frustration with modern Hollywood, saying it has become “almost impossible” for him to watch a 2026 movie calendar release without picking it “to death.” So naturally, I did not expect the movie to break through his wall of grumpiness to be The Rip, a recent Netflix cop thriller starring Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. He wrote:

From Tarantino, that glowing review is practically a parade with a brass section. Part of what makes this so funny is that his modern movie complaints have become their own genre of entertainment news. For instance, he has taken shots at new superhero movie actors, saying they're not the real stars of Marvel movies.

So, yes, the Django Unchained director/writer praising The Rip feels surprising. The movie, directed by Joe Carnahan, follows two Miami-Dade law enforcement officers who uncover corruption tied to $20 million in cartel cash. Along with Affleck and Damon, the cast includes Steven Yeun, Teyana Taylor, Sasha Calle and Kyle Chandler. It also sounds like exactly the kind of genre setup he might enjoy, as the filmmaker touched on similar subject matter in some of Tarantino's best movies.

Tarantino did not just toss out a vague compliment and move on. He praised the movie’s whole construction. The opinionated moviemaker can roast modern Hollywood all he wants, but he is still a screenplay guy. Give him structure, tension and characters trapped inside a premise with teeth and apparently even a new Netflix movie can get past the gate.

It also helps explain why The Rip landed for him in a way so many new movies apparently do not. It’s not a film built to feed a franchise spreadsheet, as it is a lean, mean cop thriller with enough craft to remind the Jackie Brown director why he likes those movies in the first place.

So, no, I did not have Quentin Tarantino becoming one of the loudest recent supporters of a Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Netflix crime drama on my bingo card. But maybe that is what makes the praise so interesting. For a filmmaker who sounds exhausted by almost everything new, The Rip did the one thing that still matters: it held his attention.

The Rip is now streaming with a Netflix subscription.

Jennifer Lopez may be a rom-com queen with a new one called Office Romance among 2026's movie releases, but in her personal life she’s putting the brakes on relationships. These days, the actress and singer is happily single post her divorce from Ben Affleck, but allegedly one of her famous exes is checking in.

JLo Is Happy To Be Single

Lopez has been turning the page on her life as of late, as she recently moved out of the home she and Affleck shared and is living in her “very own Barbie dreamhouse.” When she was on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week, she said this about her single era:

Lopez hasn’t gone too long without being in a relationship for much of her life, but these days she’s not seeking out a partnership. Kimmel suggested she be the next The Bachelorette, but she scoffed at the idea, saying this about finding love again:

It sounds like JLo has a good mindset about dating going forward. She’s not rushing into anything, or feeling like she needs a relationship but is open to finding love again if the other person is “good enough” for her. You go girl!

The Ex That's Allegedly Reaching Out

Amidst Jennifer Lopez’s comments about being single, scooper Rob Shuter also reported this week that one of the 56-year-old’s exes, retired baseball player Alex Rodriguez, has tried to get back into contact with her after his own recent breakup. Rodriguez was dating internet personality Jaclyn Cordeiro for more than three years, but they recently split up. According to one “insider”:

Jennifer Lopez and Alex Rodriguez dated from 2017 to 2021. The couple was engaged back in 2019 and ended up postponing their planned destination wedding due to the COVID-19 pandemic before ultimately splitting up. Apparently, Rodriguez tried to reconnect with JLo in order to “rebuild at least some form of connection.” Per one source:

It wasn’t long after JLo and Rodriguez’s split that she reconnected with Ben Affleck, perhaps completely severing any contact she and Alex Rodriguez might have had post-breakup. But now that they both find themselves single, it certainly sounds like a more convenient time for both of the celebrities to talk again, should these reports be true. But if the baseball player is hoping for another shot with Lopez, it doesn’t sound like the kind of thing she’s entertaining right now.

While JLo might be anti-romance right now, she certainly isn’t in her new movie. She stars in Office Romance with Brett Goldstein, which will be available to stream with a Netflix subscription on June 5.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have made countless headlines over the years, thanks to both versions of their A-list relationship. They broke the internet upon getting back together years ago, even more so after getting married in Vegas. Since their split, they've been tied thanks to the mansion they bought together, but now the "Let's Get Loud" singer has officially moved out. And reports claim she's super happy as a result.

Despite JLo filing for divorce in August of 2024, the two superstars have continued to turn heads. As she and Affleck struggled to get their mansion sold, fans noticed Lopez was still living there as her new bachelorette pad was renovated. A new report by The Daily Mail claims she's moved into the new place and is loving it. As an alleged insider claimed:

Honestly, what's not to love? JLo's reported happiness makes even more sense when you consider she's been renovating the place for a year... living in her married home in the process. We'll just have to wait and see if she does any photoshoots in the new place so fans can see the "Barbie dreamhouse" vibes for themselves.

Of course, the public will still be paying attention to see if/when they manage to sell the mansion. Back in April, Affleck gifted his share of their married home to Lopez, presumably in order to make their split less complicated. The same anonymous insider spoke more about how much the actress/pop star is enjoying the new digs, claiming:

Who doesn't want Hamptons vibes... even if JLo's new home is on the other side of the country? It sounds like the global pop star is really feeling the vibes of her new place, and after the years of divorce-related issues, she's certainly earned the right to feel comfortable in her home. We'll just have to see if she manages to actually get that mansion sold or not. On top of the over $60 million price tag, it's also got wildly high insurance. Plus, there's the money they lost when renovating the place.

Jennifer Lopez will return to our screens with Office Romance, which arrives for those with a Netflix subscription on June 5th as part of the 2026 movie release list.

It’s always nice to see two women in Hollywood become best friends and, for a long time, Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini were among the industry's most high-profile besties. However, in recent years, the pair of Second Act stars allegedly have become distant – particularly after JLo’s renewed romance with Ben Affleck from 2021 to 2024. As for what's going on with them now, an insider is now dropping claims.

JLo and Remini go way back! They met in 2004 when Lopez’s husband at the time, Marc Anthony, introduced them. Lopez previously said she and her gal pal “fell in love” immediately after meeting, and the rest was history. And then they got to work together in 2018’s Second Act. A source for Page Six now alleges that the dynamics between the two stars have changed in a few key ways:

According to the source, JLo and Leah Remini actually became more distant after working on Second Act. Lopez reportedly felt “overwhelmed by the dynamic and started pulling back” because she needed “more space from the friendship” after spending “so much constant time together during filming”. Remini’s feelings were also allegedly “hurt” by this, and they purportedly haven’t been as close since. The insider also said this:

One thing that Jennifer Lopez and Leah Remini have reportedly bonded over lately are their respective divorces. Remini filed for divorce from Angelo Pagán in August 2024 after 21 years of marriage – the same month that Lopez filed from Ben Affleck. Their shared divorce experiences supposedly got them to reconnect after Affleck was allegedly another reason they pulled back from each other. Per the source:

A year after their divorces, Remini said that she and JLo would “text each other loving messages of support”. The King of Queens star also said at the time that “friendships ebb and flow” and distance doesn’t automatically mean that a pair of friends are “at odds.”

On that note, Leah Remini didn’t attend JLo and Affleck’s wedding, and instead, had dinner with her daughter before she went off to college. It's hard not to wonder if the friends will connect more now that JLo’s twins recently turned 18 and will soon be heading off to college, leaving the multihyphenate with an empty nest.

Her personal relationships aside, Jennifer Lopez has a new romantic comedy called Office Romance, and it'll soon be available to anyone with a Netflix subscription. The film sees Lopez and Ted Lasso’s Brett Goldstein play coworkers who fall in love. Lopez has said that her co-star surprised her by being “totally different” than she expected.

Viewers can see Office Romance on Netflix starting on June 5 and, if this insider's recent comments are any indication, fans probably shouldn't expect to see Leah Remini at the premiere.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon currently find themselves embroiled in a legal situation linked to one of their more recent films, The Rip. As part of a defamation lawsuit filed by two police officers, Damon and Affleck’s production company, Artists Equity, is being sued for its portrayal of law enforcement officials. Neither the actors nor their company have formally addressed the suit, as of this writing. All the while, though, resurfaced comments that Affleck made about working with cops ahead of the film’s release have resurfaced.

The two officers at the center of this case – Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana – are members of the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Department, and Affleck apparently shadowed cops with the organization while prepping for the film. In the aftermath of the lawsuit, Entertainment Weekly shared quotes from an interview it did with Affleck that was shared earlier this year. Based on the comments the Oscar winner shared with EW at the time, he was ecstatic to be collaborating with the cops and to have some appear in the film:

Directed by Joe Carnahan, The Rip centers on a group of Florida narcotics detectives, who come into conflict with each other after discovering $20 million during a raid. The result is a movie filled with a ton of twists and Carnahan’s signature action sensibilities. What should be mentioned is that while the characters work for Miami-Dade, there are no real names of actual cops used in the film. Despite that, Affleck also previously explained just how much work he and his collaborators were doing to channel to those real-life civil servants:

Santana and Smith are now accusing The Rip and its promotional campaign of suggesting “misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior in connection with a real law enforcement operation.” And, although the film is touted as being “inspired by a true story,” the two officers allege that other than “the fact that a large seizure occurred, the events portrayed in the film did not happen.” Smith and Santos also claimed they sent a legal request in December 2025 to ask that the film not be released as it was. The pair alleged that the defendants responded and argued that their concerns were “unfounded.”

In addition to Artists Equity, Falco Productions has also been named a defendant in the suit. Netflix – which is the distributor of the film – has not been included in the legal filing. Santana and Smith are currently seeking punitive and compensatory damages as well as legal fees. Additionally, they want a “public retraction and correction” and a “prominent disclaimer” to be added to the movie.

The Rip garnered buzz following its release as part of the 2026 movie schedule on January 16, and critics also shared mostly positive reviews on Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s movie. As far as the legal situation goes, it’s unclear as to when further developments on the case might arise. In the meantime, the Damon and Affleck-fronted flick remains available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

The 2026 movie calendar brought Ben Affleck and Matt Damon back together in a big way with Netflix's The Rip, their recent crime thriller about Miami cops, cartel cash and trust slowly melting under pressure. The Damon-Affleck partnership has felt like one of Hollywood’s constants for decades, going back to their Good Will Hunting Oscar win and stretching through everything from Air to their work together at Artists Equity. But now, their latest collaboration has landed the two A-listers in the middle of a defamation case.

Per Entertainment Weekly, two officers from the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office, Jason Smith and Jonathan Santana, are suing Affleck and Damon’s company, Artists Equity, over how law enforcement characters are portrayed in the 2026 Netflix release. The lawsuit also names Falco Productions, Damon’s LLC production company, while Netflix, which distributed the movie, is not named as a defendant (and declined to comment).

The officers are not named in the film, but that appears to be the heart of the complaint. Smith and Santana argue that The Rip includes enough specific details from a real 2016 Miami-Dade investigation that viewers could reasonably connect the fictional characters to the real investigation.

The lawsuit claims the movie and its advertising imply “misconduct, poor judgment, and unethical behavior in connection with a real law enforcement operation.” The complaint says the portrayal has caused “substantial harm to their personal and professional reputations.” That is where the “inspired by true events” label starts doing some heavy lifting.

In The Rip, Damon plays Lt. Dane Dumars, and Affleck plays Detective Sgt. J.D. Byrne. The story follows the two after their unit discovers $20 million in cartel cash, which quickly opens the door to suspicion and corruption inside the Miami-Dade Police Department. The officers’ complaint claims the real-life inspiration was a June 2016 case in which Smith and Santana seized more than $21 million. The lawsuit argues that the film’s use of “unique, non-generic details” from that investigation, combined with the Miami-Dade setting and narcotics-team focus, creates a reasonable inference that the officers in the movie are meant to represent them.

Smith and Santana’s attorneys also point to specific fictional moments in the movie where characters bend police procedure, including a scene where Affleck’s character kills a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. The complaint says that aside from the large seizure itself, the events portrayed in The Rip did not happen.

The lawsuit also claims the fallout has reached the officers personally. According to the complaint, family members and colleagues allegedly made comments suggesting the officers must have used seized funds for home improvements, vehicles, boats and private schooling. Their attorneys argue those remarks show viewers are associating the real Miami-Dade officers with the movie’s corrupt portrayals.

The complaint says the officers’ lawyers sent a cease-and-desist letter before The Rip was released in January 2026, asking the companies behind the film not to release it. After the movie came out, the defendants allegedly responded that the concerns were unfounded because the film did not expressly name Smith and did not imply either plaintiff engaged in misconduct.

Smith and Santana are seeking a public retraction and correction, including, as their lawyers describe, a prominent disclaimer added to the movie, per reports. They are also seeking compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorney fees.

Representatives for Affleck, Damon and Artists Equity have not responded publicly as of this writing. And for now, The Rip is still available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

Although Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck settled their divorce well over a year ago, one piece of business kept them bound together after the split. The former couple was left with the task of having to unload the $60 million mansion they purchased together during their marriage. For a while, they saw their share of starts and stops while trying to sell the house and, just weeks ago, the saga took an interesting turn when Affleck (53) sold his stake to Lopez (56). Now, JLo has re-listed the property, but how’s she doing it this time around?

The Beverly Hills mansion formerly inhabited by “Bennifer” was just put back on the market this past Tuesday, according to TMZ. However, it seems JLo is taking a different approach this time around, as she’s apparently reduced the price tag. Instead of selling the house for $60 million, the 38,000-square-foot home is now being offered for $49,995,000. This marks a significant reduction in the asking price, especially considering there was a time at which Lopez and Affleck were seeking to sell the mansion for $68 million.

At this point, regardless of the fact that the Hustlers star has since cut down the price on the home, she’s still set to rake in all of the profits, thanks to her ex gifting her his stake. That move on Affleck’s part seemed quite surprising from the outside looking in, especially considering it was previously reported that Affleck and JLo disagreed on how to sell the mansion. Affleck, of course, hasn’t explained his decision to give up his share, but it’s alleged that he made the “grand gesture” to alleviate tension between him and his ex.

Lopez and Affleck originally purchased the mansion in May 2023 and, at that point, they reportedly paid $60.85 million. Following the couple’s separation in mid-2024, they listed the house for the aforementioned $68 million sum, but they later reduced the price to $52 million. The listing was eventually taken down, and the house was eventually put back on the market around July 2025. Still, the mansion was ultimately delisted again by the start of 2026.

When it comes to why the two stars apparently had a tough time unloading their property, reports have pointed to more than a few possible variables. One of the obvious reasons was the initial asking price, which was apparently viewed as being steep by some analysts. It was also reported that the home was subject to sky-high insurance costs, with the mansion reportedly costing around $500,000 to keep the place insured on a yearly basis.

It, of course, remains to be seen if the mansion — which has 24 bathrooms – will actually sell now that the price has been slashed. Should that happen, though, it would mark yet another step forward for both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck, who’ve been moving into new chapters in their lives. Affleck remains busy work-wise and is supposedly only considering casual relationships right now. As for Lopez, she’s reportedly focused on getting ready for her kids to go to college, and she revealed she wasn’t interested in dating anytime soon.

As for the potential sale of the mansion, The Beverly Hills Estates is currently the holder of the listing. Theoretically, a sale would translate to a solid chunk of change for Lopez and, simultaneously, it would further signify the end of one era in her life. We’ll just have to wait and see how everything pans out with this real estate saga.

When we, as TV and movie lovers, buy into a fictional portrayal of the real world, it means a lot when we can identify in some way with the characters we’re seeing on screen. That means representing people of all ages, backgrounds, body types, races, disabilities, personalities, etc. As awareness has increased about Autism Spectrum Disorder, I love that we’ve also seen it more prevalently portrayed on our screens.

In addition to reality shows like Love on the Spectrum that challenge stereotypes that autistic people may face, there are several movies and series that include characters who have autism. Because the spectrum is so broad, no singular portrayal can be accurate of the entire community, and that’s why it’s so important that so many of these characters exist. Below I’ve listed 8 characters from TV shows and movies who are on the autism spectrum.

Christian Wolff (The Accountant)

Both The Accountant (2016) and The Accountant 2 (2025) star Ben Affleck as Christian Wolff, an accountant with savant-level math skills who is also a lethal assassin. The movies show how his autism helps him to quickly and easily “assist” criminals with their finances, but also how he struggles with social interactions. The sequel digs into his upbringing and relationship with his brother, and there are some fun scenes where Christian tries line dancing and even speed-dating.

Shane Hollander (Heated Rivalry)

Heated Rivalry was a spicy smash hit for HBO Max when it came out in 2025, with Hudson Williams portraying Shane Hollander, a hockey player who engages in a relationship with rival Ilya Rozanov. While autism is never mentioned in the first season of the book-to-screen adaptation, author Rachel Reid has confirmed Shane is on the spectrum.

Hudson Williams told THR his father has autism, and he drew inspiration from him on how to play Shane. I think it’s a great portrayal because it doesn’t lean on extreme stereotypes, it’s not made to be Shane’s defining character trait, and still, fans are able to recognize and identify with his neurodivergence. Be sure to check out this authentic performance, but be warned — Heated Rivalry is one of HBO Max’s most sexually explicit shows.

Temple Grandin (Temple Grandin)

This biographical drama, Temple Grandin from 2010, stars Claire Danes as the titular character, who fought speech and sensory issues and grew up to make revolutionary changes to the cattle ranching industry. The TV movie is based on Temple Grandin’s memoirs and seeks to give people a broader understanding of Grandin and autism. It won several Primetime Emmy Awards — including Outstanding Lead Actress for Danes, who also won the Golden Globe for the role.

Sam Gardner (Atypical)

Another example of autistic characters on TV is Atypical’s Sam Gardner (Keir Gilchrist). The Netflix series is centered around an 18-year-old trying to navigate life as a teenager, including social situations like dating, but it also looks at his family. Through four seasons, it shows — sometimes casually and sometimes in heightened situations — how Sam’s autism affects everyone in the family and how they make accommodations to try to make things easier for him. Atypical is one we think everyone should check out.

Max Braverman (Parenthood)

Max Burkholder portrays Max Braverman, whose autism becomes a main storyline in Parenthood right from the start of what would go on to be six emotional seasons. This series gives us a good look inside the minds of Max’s parents, particularly as they learn to establish routines, navigate behavioral issues, and find Max the help he needs at school. As Max grows up, we also see how his feelings about autism change over time.

Parenthood also features another possible autistic character in Ray Romano’s Hank Rizzoli. Hank discovers that he might be on the spectrum after reading a book about autism to try to better understand Max. He finds that he relates to a lot of what is being described in the book, and autism would explain a lot of what he’s been through in his life. His character seemingly represents the people who don’t realize they’re on the spectrum until adulthood; however, Hank was never formally diagnosed at neurodiverse.

Wendy Welcott (Please Stand By)

Dakota Fanning has been praised for her performance in 2018’s Please Stand By as Wendy Welcott, an autistic woman living in a group home, where she spends her days working on a Star Trek script. After missing the mail-in deadline to submit her script for a screenwriting contest, she flees home to deliver it in person — thus proving she’s more independent than her sister thinks. Her journey is sometimes harrowing, but Fanning portrays Wendy as confident, competent, creative and complex, and it’s beautiful to see her fight for something she cares deeply about.

Shaun Murphy (The Good Doctor)

Despite displaying some stereotypical characteristics of autism — including savant syndrome — Freddie Highmore’s role as Dr. Shaun Murphy on The Good Doctor is generally considered a positive representation. While Shaun struggles with eye contact, can interpret things super literally, and exhibits sensory sensitivity, many fans of the medical drama enjoy seeing him respected in his profession as he navigates workplace dynamics and relationships.

Woo Young-woo (Extraordinary Attorney Woo)

Extraordinary Attorney Woo is a fascinating look at one way autism is portrayed in South Korean entertainment. The series (available to stream with a Netflix subscription) stars Park Eun-bin as autistic rookie attorney Woo Young-woo. It’s impossible not to be charmed by the attorney and her special interest in whales, as she navigates plenty of bias regarding her autism, as well as professional rivalries and budding romance.

These are only a handful of characters on the autism spectrum that can be found on TV and in movies. Many children’s shows have come to feature autistic characters, including Sesame Street and Carl the Collector. There are also many characters who seem to display characteristics of neurodiversity but whose diagnoses have not been confirmed, including The Big Bang Theory’s Sheldon Cooper, Community’s Abed Nadir, Criminal Minds’ Spencer Reid and more.

It’s great to see so many facets of autism represented in entertainment. Hopefully, it will only continue to broaden people’s understanding and acceptance of neurodiversity.

While it’s been over a year since Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez finalized their divorce, the pair still remained linked in several respects. One of the biggest pieces of unresolved business between the former couple is the pricey mansion they purchased while they were still together. Lopez and Affleck have reportedly had a tough time selling the property, which is currently valued at $60 million. Interestingly enough, Affleck recently gifted his stake in the house to Lopez, and an insider is now dropping claims about the reason for that.

Reports of the decision made by Affleck (53) began to surface near the end of last week. It was specified that the Rip star gave away his equity in the Beverly Hills home with no strings attached. Official court records refer to that move as a “transfer of property among spouses.” Reps from neither Affleck nor JLo (56) have spoken out about the latter’s decision, as of this writing. However, if a source for In Touch Weekly is to be believed, this choice reportedly takes a major weight off Affleck’s shoulders:

It has indeed been a long road for “Bennifer” regarding the process of unloading the house they purchased together in May 2023 for $60.85 million. Even before Lopez and Affleck’s divorce was confirmed in August 2024, their 38,000-square-foot mansion was listed in July of that same year. The couple originally sought $68 million for the house but, by September 2025, they reduced that price to $52 million. In July 2025, the house was taken off the market but was put back on, only to be delisted again in January 2026.

The mansion’s massive price tag and high insurance costs are said to have contributed to the couple’s inability to sell it. Earlier this year, sources alleged that JLo and Affleck were not on the same page about how they wanted to handle the property. However, In Touch’s insider goes on to allege that Affleck also chose to give up his stake as a way of making further amends with his former spouse:

This “grand gesture” arrives following months of reports about the Gigli stars moving into different chapters of their lives both personally and professionally. Lopez, who recently finished up a string of shows in Las Vegas, was recently asked if she was “dating up a storm” and quipped that she was not because she didn’t “want to ruin anything” in her life right now. Affleck, for his part, has historically opted not to speak much about his love life, though it’s been alleged that he’s open to a casual relationship and not a long-term one.

When it comes to Ben Affleck giving up his stake in the mansion, that move would seemingly lend credibility to the reports that he and Jennifer Lopez are still on good terms. The last several months have even seen insiders report that Affleck remains a supportive figure in the lives of Lopez’s near-college-aged kids. All the while, though, time will tell if that house will eventually be sold.

Celebrity couples have a penchant for making headlines, just look at Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce or (of course) Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez. The latter might have settled their divorce outside of court, but there's one big asset that's continued to connect them: the mansion they bought as a married couple. And the Batman v Superman actor recently gave her a major gift in relation to the home.

Back in 2023, Bennifer purchased a mansion for their blended family to live in. But after their split, Affleck and Lopez have struggled to sell the place, listing it for $60 million before taking it off the market. TMZ has offered another update, namely that he's handed over his shares of interest in the house to JLo. Given its price tag, that's millions of dollars.

The outlet reportedly accessed court records, including a "transfer of property among spouses." Insiders also allege that Ben Affleck signed over his half of the mansion completely for free. So it looks like the asset now completely belongs to JLo, who has been living there as she renovated another home she had purchased. We'll just have to see if she has any luck actually getting the property sold.

This mansion seemed to be the main thing tying the former couple together, aside from their kids continuing to have a relationship. The mansion was bought for tens of millions of dollars, and it remains to be seen if/when someone actually buys the place. Although now it looks like that's completely Lopez's issue, as Affleck has seemingly washed his hands clean of it all.

News of Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck's reunion absolutely broke the internet, due to their previous relationship, which also made countless headlines. Bennifer eventually got married in Las Vegas in 2022, before having a weekend-long party with their loved ones. Folks were back to shipping the pair of A-listers, but just a few years later, rumors started swirling that they were living separately. JLo filed for divorce in August of 2024, and they settled their split without going to court. Although the mansion has been something that's continued to tie them together post-split.

It should be interesting to see what happens with this house and if Jennifer Lopez is finally able to sell the place. It was originally listed for $60 million, but was eventually lowered to $52m. Unfortunately, there still hasn't been any forward movement regarding a sale. The price tag is presumably a big factor, as well as the insurance, which reportedly costs a whopping $500k yearly.

We'll have to see what happens with the house, but both Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck continue to have thriving careers. They've got projects on the 2026 movie release list and beyond, as the "Lets Get Loud" singer keeps paying for that mansion until it's sold.

The DC side of the superhero genre has been going through changes recently, courtesy of co-CEO James Gunn. A new shared universe has come with the DCU, which is releasing content in theaters and streaming with an HBO Max subscription. While we're a few titles into the first slate of projects called Gods and Monsters, there are plenty who are still looking back at the previous DCEU. Zack Snyder has been fanning those flames with some cool throwbacks, the latest of which makes Ben Affleck look absolutely huge as Batman.

Folks who watched the DC movies in order will recall how Snyder helped kickstart the DCEU, before departing after Justice League. And while audiences are looking forward to upcoming DC movies, others are still hoping that Warner Bros. relents to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse. The 300 director took to Instagram to share an epic picture of Batfleck, check it out below:

Seriously, this guy looks huge. Ben Affleck already stands at a whopping 6'4, and he put on a ton of muscle to play Bruce Wayne in Batman v Superman and Justice League. It made the character physically intimidating, especially when breaking Batman's no-kill rule and taking out enemies. And while we wait to see who will be the Dark Knight in the DCU, it's easy to understand why Snyder chose Affleck.

Zack Snyder shared this image with his 714K followers on Instagram, a number that's been steadily building since he joined the social media outlet and posted a photo of Henry Cavill's Superman in the process. The comments section is filled with fans who want to see more of the filmmaker's vision for all things DC, especially the two scrapped Justice League sequels. Some responses read:

• I just rewatched BVS, its such a masterpiece. Incredible film. - btdjokes
• pls bring him back he is an excellent Batman - kingdiamonddotcom
• Restore the snyderverse - pulidop48
• I love the texture on the suit. Also you were the only one to comic accurate adapt the gray suit - joeyfierrodmd
• Still my favourite Batman! - shane.r.lowrie

Unfortunately, Ben Affleck only got to take center stage for two DCEU movies. Although he did have cameos in Suicide Squad and The Flash, helping the former shared universe feel more interconnected. Affleck also did reshoots for Zack Snyder's Justice League, bringing together the new Knightmare scene and the Martian Manhunter sequence in the process.

The DCEU is streaming now on HBO Max. The next DC movie hitting theaters is Supergirl on June 26th as part of the 2026 movie release list. But with Snyder regularly posting throwbacks, smart money says calls to #RestoreTheSnyderVerse aren't going to slow anytime soon.

Earlier this year, when The Rip premiered on Netflix’s 2026 schedule, Matt Damon made a comment about the streamer giving notes about the benefit of reiterating plot points. Then, as the 2026 Oscar winners were announced, Conan O’Brien and Sterling K. Brown made a joke about it. Now, the streamer has responded to the claim, calling it “offensive” as executives turned down the notion of asking creators to do something like this.

In the days after O’Brien and Brown did a Casablanca themed-bit where they joked about streaming movies repeating plot points because viewers are on their phones, Netflix’s film chief, Dan Lin, reacted. He turned down claims that they do such a thing, telling reporters (via Deadline):

So, according to Netflix, they do not give notes asking filmmakers to repeat important points of the story.

However, earlier this year, Matt Damon claimed that they did. This came up as Ocean’s Eleven star was promoting his movie, The Rip, which you can watch with a Netflix subscription. He explained a couple of examples of possible notes they could get from the streamer, which included having a big action set piece in the first five minutes of the movie. He also said this about reiterating important points of the story:

Ever since Damon’s comment about this, Netflix potentially giving notes about repeating dialogue has been a major point of conversation this year. It came right as The Rip, which has some fun twists and got middling-to-positive reviews, was released on the streamer. So, it certainly got folks talking, and the Oscars joke brought it back into the spotlight.

However, some of Netflix’s top people are insisting that they don’t give notes like this. Along with Lin’s comment, Chief Content Officer Bela Bajaria said:

So, it’s clear that, according to these Netflix execs, they do not give notes like the ones that were joked about at the Oscars and explained by Damon.

Along with Bajaria’s comment, Jinny Howe, the Head of UCAN (U.S.-Canada) Scripted Series, said that Netflix is very aware of “how savvy the audiences are.” Speaking more to that point, she said:

Fans sure aren’t shy about calling things out and sharing their reactions, especially when it comes to big Netflix projects like Stranger Things or Bridgerton, for example. And according to the streamer, they know that and do not ask creators to reiterate points.

Now, it will be interesting to see how this conversation continues as more projects, and specifically movies, are released on Netflix. Clearly, the streamer does not agree with the claims and jokes that people were making. So we’ll have to wait and see if more creators and executives speak up about the notes the company gives regarding how films are made and how stories are explained to the audience.

The year is still relatively young, but Ben Affleck has already been incredibly busy. He spent a considerable amount of time promoting his 2026 movie schedule entry, The Rip, alongside co-star and good buddy Matt Damon and the rest of the cast. And, of course, Affleck also headlined that viral Super Bowl ad. While the A-lister’s career continues to flourish, there are still questions regarding the next steps in his romantic life over a year after the finalization of his divorce from Jennifer Lopez. Now, a source is weighing in on that front.

Lopez and Affleck’s split was made official (from a legal standpoint) back in January 2025. About a month or so later, it was reported that the Air director had been “casually dating” but was not getting into anything serious. An insider recently made claims about Ben Affleck’s love life while speaking with inTouch Weekly. If this person is to be believed, there’s one thing the Oscar winner definitely is not aiming for when it comes to romance:

This claim should be taken with a grain of salt though, as mentioned earlier, Ben Affleck is a busy man these days. According to this unnamed insider, though, there’s still something Affleck isn’t opposed to when it comes to dating:

Affleck has dated and married women of varying ages over the years. Of course, he was most notably married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 to 2018, and the couple share three kids – Violet (20), Seraphina (17) and Samuel (13). (Garner and Affleck remain close while co-parenting.) There’s also Affleck’s relationship with Lopez, who he was originally engaged to between 2002 and 2004 and married in Las Vegas in 2022 after reconciling. By April 2024, the pair had separated, and Lopez filed for divorce in August of that year.

Since then, Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have seemingly maintained a friendly relationship and have even still provided support for each other’s kids at varying times. The pair were all smiles when they appeared at the red carpet premiere of Kiss of the Spider Woman last fall. However, insiders said that the lovely meetup wouldn’t signify a romantic reconciliation for “Bennifer.” While they were friendly, that was also a business outing, as Affleck was an EP on the movie and, per this source, Affleck is focused on his career:

[He] seems totally immune to falling in love, or at least totally disinterested in that at the moment. Ben is trying to build an empire with his new studio [Artists Equity] and walking that path alone or with just [Matt Damon] at his side, works for him right now. He has his eyes on the real prize, not the next random hot actress that catches his eye.

So, all in all, it’s being alleged that Ben Affleck is keeping his eyes focused on work while also leaving the door open for casual relationships. If that is true, it’s hard to say whether the public will become privy to any details regarding any of the ladies Affleck sees in the near future. Regardless, given Affleck’s persona, I’d imagine he’d have no problem finding a partner should he seek one.

Naming Robin Williams' greatest role is a nearly impossible task. He was in so many wonderful movies, and he put forth numerous outstanding performances, but by at least one metric, the answer to the question is easy. Williams best role was in Good Will Hunting, as that was the movie that won him his (long overdue) Academy Award. Now, one of his co-stars from that film, Stellan Skarsgård, has opened up about the comedic legend and why he had to be "funny to survive."

Many have spoken in the past about the incredible impact that Williams had on making Good Will Hunting the movie it became. During a recent screening of the film (via EW), Stellan Skarsgård talked about his experience off camera with Williams, which was apparently very different depending on how many people were around. The actor explained…

“Had to be funny to survive” is a pretty rough statement to hear, honestly. Most fans probably never saw Robin Williams as anything other than “on” as his interviews and talk show appearances frequently became a stream of consciousness madness as Williams fired off every joke he could think of. It often made for hilarious television. However, the way Stellan Skarsgård describes it makes it sound like Williams felt like he didn’t have a choice but to perform when people were around. He either wasn't able to turn it off or simply felt an obligation.

Williams' lack of “choice” in performing did lead to some interesting work on the set, however. Skarsgård indicates that if his co-star had a great idea for a scene, he felt compelled to try it, just to get it out. He also had a desire to do many more takes of any given scene, and the differences could be quite stark. He continued…

Williams' desire to do multiple takes is well known. It's what led to a fabled, though not entirely accurately reported, NC-17 cut of Mrs. Doubtfire. He would throw every joke he had to see what worked.

Traditionally, multiple takes of a scene are done just to make sure that all bases are covered or that the best possible performance gets captured. The Dead Poets Society star, however, would drastically change his performance between takes, which in turn forced his co-stars to react differently as well. Williams, who was as good at dark roles as he was comedy, would sometimes try wildly different takes on his own performance. Skarsgård indicates that director Gus Van Sant (who was also at the screening) had so many very different Williams performances that the role could have been edited together in any number of ways.

Good Will Hunting didn’t win an Oscar in 1998 for Best Film Editing (though it was nominated), but perhaps it should have, considering the movie had so many scenes to choose from, and found the right ones to make Good Will Hunting a fantastic film.

I went to Argentina a few years ago and quickly learned I wouldn’t survive without trying to use at least a little bit of Spanish. I’m good enough now that I’m not laughed out of the room when attempting to pronounce foods like flanchoco, but no one would accuse me of being good at Spanish. You know who is good, though? Ben Affleck. The actor is excellent at speaking Spanish, and some recent comments as The Rip hit the 2026 Netflix schedule actually started a mini Internet trend.

There are a lot of fun words in Spanish, but according to what Ben Affleck told his The Rip co-stars Matt Damon and Sasha Calle, his favorite has to be a word with innocuous origin that sounds like a "swear" if you are just hearing it without knowing what it means for the first time. Yes, I’m talking about the crowd pleaser “sacapuntas.” It may really mean “pencil sharpener,” but Affleck thinks it sounds hyper insulting.

His The Rip co-star Sasha Calle went on to remark in a Netflix interview that “it could be a great swear, though,” prompting Affleck to just shout the word more fervently in the interview. He says sometimes he loves hollering “sacapuntas, tu madre” out like it is a really insult, and an amused Matt Damon, whom he has reunited with, and Calle told him maybe he’ll make that into a trend.

Turns out, the real trend he started was getting other people to share innocuous Spanish words they are also obsessed with. In fact, there are plenty of other fun words in Spanish some fans of the Batfleck are all over. Here’s a smattering of fun response comments on the post, many of which have literally thousands of likes (and we kept the answers PG here).

• My favorite word in Spanish is pantuflas. 😂
• Yes!! That one, along with panqueques, and azafata are my top 3.
• My favorite Spanish word is Allllllbondigasss. 😆
• My favorite is Rompecabezas (Puzzles).

The sad thing is, he may never know he started that fun trend, as Ben Affleck is firmly off of social media.

Still, it's a cute moment, and as I noted prior, Ben Affleck is excellent at speaking Spanish. He went viral a couple of years ago after doing an interview in Spanish promoting Air in which fans marveled over how solid his pronunciation actually is. He’s gone viral several times since for excellent back-and-forth exchanges in español, which he learned as a kid. You can see this latest one for yourself, below.

One viral comment in the post that garnered over 9,500 likes simply noted, “I like Ben Affleck better in Spanish,” and it’s a sentiment I think most of us would agree with. No more Sadfleck memes, please, instead let’s bring in more Spanishfleck.

In just three years, Ben Affleck’s partnership with Dunkin’ went from a curious oddity to a rich source of bafflingly loony Super Bowl commercials. (The DunKings are forever.) For this year’s ad, Affleck & Co. threw back to the era in which he rose to fame — the high-fashion ‘90s — as well as his award-winning breakout success, Good Will Hunting. The ad reimagines the Matt Damon-starring film with Affleck as the lead, and the result is pure Sliding Doors-esque fantasy, complete with A-list cameos from Jennifer Aniston and more.

The version of the commercial that aired during the Super Bowl was half of the full ad, though it does appear to be a lot of what was actually filmed. As seen below, Affleck’s heavily de-oldified Will is surrounded by comedy stars who crushed the ‘90s: Jason Alexander (Seinfeld), Alfonso Ribeiro (Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), Jaleel White (Family Matters), Ted Danson (Cheers), Jasmine Guy (A Different World), and Friends vets Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc. (The “Jen and Matt” referenced in the pre-Bowl ad.)

The lone anachronistic appearance came from Tom Brady, which I was less into. He was 13 in 1990. I don’t think Rachel Greene would have been going in for him 4 years later when Friends started. But whatever.

I’ll shamelessly say that I loved the majority of it, and I may cut some kind of soundbite out of Affleck’s stretched-out version of Joey Tribbiani’s pick-up line “How you doin’?” It’s too good to only exist in one form. I’m also grateful that White wasn’t relegated to reverting back into Steve Urkel mode, and was allowed to just be a cornball character without any nerd-flourish.

But again, that was only half of the ad, so check out the full version below to hear the spot-on theme song that was hinted at near the end of the ad.

I wish they were able to film different character moments for the opening sequence, akin to the non-sequitur moments seen in Full House and Family Matters' openings, to name just a couple. But I guess when you have all of these legends in one spot, time is way more limited than the makeup and digital trickery.

The Latest Dunkin' Ad Got Lots Of Love Online

Over on Instagram, the ad was shared by Dunkin', Danson, LeBlanc and Ribeiro (which sounds like either a hardcore legal firm or a whimsical '70s supergroup), and drew a slew of positive reactions from fans and other brands. Check out some of the highlights below.

• VICTORIA'S SECRET: Well played, friends.
• T-MOBILE: That Tom guy looks familiar.
• SEPHORA: seeing The Rachel haircut in 2026 🤧❤️
• HOMEGOODS: THIS ONE WAS FOR BOSTON 👏🗣️
• OLIPOP: THIS CAST MEANT A LOT TO ME. THANK YOU
• CARNIVAL CRUISE LINE: This is a crew we want to hang with 👏
• GOLDFISH: this is how you nostalgiamaxx 👏👏
• JETBLUE: you did your big one
• CARL'S JR: a crossover i didn't know i needed
• CHEEZIT: Ive had dreams like this

I'm not sure where Ben Affleck and Dunkin' will go with next year's ad, but I can only hope it involves Kevin Smith and a bunch of Dogma reunions. The movie shares the same first two letters as "donut," so that's half of the ad right there, I think.

Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have been friends since they were kids, with the same dream to make it big in Hollywood. It’s a remarkable achievement that they both succeeded so well, and yet, the pair have taken very different paths since sharing the Oscar for Good Will Hunting.

One of the biggest differences between the pair is that Affleck has become a director, and a fairly accomplished one, while Damon has yet to lead a production behind the camera. In a conversation with GQ, the friends talked about why Damon has yet to direct, and Affleck believes the reason is that the reason is that is friend has had more consistent and bigger acting opportunities over his career. The Gone Girl star said…

While both actors are big stars with plenty of big roles under their belts, it’s hard to argue that Damon is the bigger “movie star” of the two. He led the Jason Bourne movies, a significant franchise. He’s also worked with top directors, like Christopher Nolan, as he does in the upcoming The Odyssey.

When you have those opportunities, Ben Affleck says it's hard to decide to focus on directing, which is a tough gig at the best of times. Affleck directed Best Picture winner Argo, and has also directed Matt Damon in Air, the story of the Air Jordan sneaker.

Damon also has growing kids. It seems he’s been unwilling to devote the time that directing would require, since it would mean more time away from family. Affleck continued…

It’s interesting that Affleck says he has actively tried to help Matt Damon find a project to direct, and yet we have yet to see something materialize. Still, he's clear that he thinks if we ever get a Matt Damon-directed film, it will be great…

Damon himself mentions that his kids are getting older, so we’re probably only a few years away from the actor having more time to pursue additional opportunities. Maybe a Matt Damon directed film isn’t too far away.

Few celebrities are as hilariously connected to the brands they advertise for as Ben Affleck is to Dunkin’. He and the ever-popular donut franchise are now several years into their partnership, which has turned the Oscar winner’s real love of the restaurant into a series of viral ads and sold out merch. As Affleck does in the 2026 movie, The Rip, he shared the screen in the popular DunKings ad in 2024 with his bestie, Matt Damon. It now looks like this year’s Dunkin’ Super Bowl campaign won’t include his frequent co-star, but fans won’t even really need it after seeing how Damon can perfectly recite Affleck’s preferred order.

What Did Matt Damon Say Is Ben Affleck’s Dunkin’ Order?

We all know that one of the preeminent bromances of Hollywood is that of “bizarrely close” lifelong friends Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, who’ve worked together multiple times over the years, along with growing up together. It’s been a couple of years now since the Good Will Hunting duo starred in an enormously popular Dunkin’ ad together (with Tom Brady, Jennifer Lopez and other celebs), and with the Argo director/star’s latest Super Bowl commercial appearing to focus on a different Matt and Jen, fans might be feenin’ for them to share some Dunkin’ time on screen.

Luckily, when they participated in a recent friendship quiz for GQ they were able to deliver some of the delightful feels we got from their joint commercial when The Odyssey actor was asked if he knew his friend’s Dunkin’ order, and quickly nailed it:

You heard it, folks. Affleck chooses a large regular coffee, hot or iced, depending on the weather. While that offers a good basic caffeine jolt that could, theoretically, be found at any number of coffee shops, the star has made no secret of the fact that Dunkin’ holds a special place in his heart. He even admitted in 2019 that he went to the chain daily in search of his coffee/treat fix, and there’s been no reason for him to significantly dial that back in more recent years, especially since he’s become the restaurant’s (incredibly well-paid) go-to spokesman.

The chain is well over 70 years old at this point, and was also founded in Massachusetts, so it makes sense that Affleck would be a fan, and has likely been one for most if not all of his life. And, considering how close he and Damon have been for pretty much the entirety of their lives, it also naturally follows that his friend would remember his very simple order of choice when he heads to Dunkin’ for his daily dose of don't-murder-stupid-people juice. ( I can't be the only one who calls coffee that, can I?)

All that’s really left to say is that I hope we all have someone who’s close enough to us to know exactly what our coffee order is and where to get it if we can’t do it ourselves.

We live in an era where social media has become one of the driving forces in all of popular culture. Big stars like Dwayne Johnson make a significant part of their income from social posts, and it’s rare for a major celebrity not to have a social media presence. And yet, Ben Affleck has none.

The actor, who can currently be seen in The Rip with a Netflix subscription, recently appeared on the All The Smoke YouTube channel, where he was asked why he wasn’t on social media at all. He gave an honestly pretty solid reason why out of the gate, saying that he was confident that if he said what he thought often, he’d eventually get in trouble for it. He explained…

As reasons to stay off social media go, this may be the single best reason to just say forget it. If Affleck weighed in on politics or some controversial issue, it doesn’t even matter what he said; it would likely upset somebody. We’ve frequently seen celebrities on social media get in trouble with the public for what their statements are interpreted as meaning, even if it’s not really what they said.

It's also been argued that actors shouldn't have social media because follower counts have reportedly been used to decide what actors get roles.

It’s not that Ben Affleck doesn’t have opinions. He’s very open about the fact that he does, and perhaps if you knew him well and were just talking, he’d be happy to tell you what he thinks. But he knows there are plenty of people who simply wouldn’t care what he has to say. He continued…

In the end, it seems Ben Affleck just understands that social media is basically a full-time job in itself, and he can’t imagine piling on the work that goes with it on top of everything else he does. Affleck said…

One has to wonder if one of the people that Ben Affleck is talking about is Jennifer Lopez. She absolutely has a major social media presence, and while she handles it well, it’s been suggested that the way the two of them handled their private life may have been part of what caused their eventual split.

Since 2023, Ben Affleck has been working with Dunkin’ on Super Bowl ads that have kept TV viewers amused and confused, and the Oscar winner’s latest effort will no doubt match up with past merch-inspiring efforts like the DunKings. The company unveiled a video setting up what we’ll see on February 8, with Affleck rocking a thick-as-fahck Boston accent to pitch an idea to “Jen and Matt,” two names he’s quite used to saying. But it’s not what you think.

Guzzle whatever coffee you have near and check out the new ad teaser below. Anyone who can make it through the whole thing without impersonating Affleck’s accent either gets a free box of donuts or my temporary respect; whichever is cheaper to ship.

“Jen, Matt: I got a pitch for ya.” The ad kicks off with those two names but without ever showing anyone on-screen beyond Ben Affleck. Already that should have sent off warning bells that expectations would be upended here. Plus, the pitch here is about looking back to the past for something new, and that...

Well, I guess Affleck and JLo did go through two distinct relationship eras that would play into the Dunkin' ad's theme. As well, he and Matt Damon did just share the screen again in Netflix's action romp The Rip, and they do tend to reteam every so often. But let's refer to the biggest piece of evidence pointing to who else will actually be seen in the new ad.

Why I Don't Think Ben Affleck Is Referring To Jlo And Matt Damon

Back in November, word spread that Ben Affleck and Dunkin' would once again attempt to break the Internet, this time with a curated selection of sitcom stars whose runs took place during the very VHS era thats' being called back to in the ad above. Some of those cameos will come from stars of past NBC megahits like Cheers, Seinfeld, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and...Friends.

If that last show starting ringing connection bells, it's likely because two of its hugely popular stars include JENnifer Aniston and MATT LeBlanc, and we'll almost definitely discover that they're the two people Affleck is pitching to.

At the time, it was rumored that Aniston and LeBlanc would be joined by Jason Alexander, Ted Danson and Alfonso Ribeiro (as well as DunKing Tom Brady), and that the ads would center on a Good Will Hunting riff called "Good Will Dunkin'." Nobody saw that pun coming. In the initial report, it was stated that Ted Danson would be portraying Sam Malone, but it sounds like the fictional representation won't carry over to the Friends co-stars.

To be sure, however, just because Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc are allegedly in this ad technically doesn't make a JLo or Matt Damon cameo impossible. What better way to throw everyone off than by featuring other celebs with the same first names? I guess it depends on how much this creative team is prioritizing fan befuddlement.

Now if it were up to me...

My Wish For Who "Jen And Matt" Would Actually Be

• Mattrick Pahomes, a Bizarro universe version of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes
• Jenson Ackles

It's unclear whether or not Ben Affleck & Co. reinlisted the efforts of John Candy's son Chris Candy to direct the latest batch of ads, after previously bringing him into the mix without being aware of his parentage. But we'll hopefully find out more around the time when we see more of the ads on Super Bowl Sunday, which is happening on February 8 this year.

Don't forget to tune into NBC (or stream via Peacock subscription) to watch the game, or more importantly to anyone who has zero interest in this year's faceoff, the celebrity-filled ads.