‘Animals’ Star Ben Affleck Heaps Rare Praise on Both Jennifer Garner and Jennifer Lopez in Candid New Interview

Few Hollywood love lives have been followed as closely as Ben Affleck’s. The 54-year-old actor and filmmaker was married to Jennifer Garner from 2005 until their divorce was finalized in 2018, and the former couple shares 3 children, Violet, Fin and Samuel.

His second marriage drew just as much attention. Affleck wed Jennifer Lopez in 2022, but the pair separated in 2024 and finalized their divorce in 2025, though they’ve kept a working relationship through ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’, which Affleck helped produce through his company Artists Equity.

Now, Affleck has surprised fans by speaking warmly about both of his famous exes in the same conversation. In a new interview with Variety published on Wednesday, he gave credit to Garner and Lopez while discussing how stars are increasingly expected to become brands.

The topic came up as he talked about the content and advertising side of Artists Equity. Affleck said he has watched both women do amazing jobs building their social media presence and creating real value in that space.

He also made it clear he doesn’t take that work lightly. Affleck stressed that it’s genuine labor and admitted he couldn’t do it himself, joking that he wouldn’t know what he would even unbox.

The conversation didn’t stop at social media savvy. When asked why Lopez has been overlooked by the Academy despite acclaimed performances in ‘Hustlers’ and ‘Kiss of the Spider Woman’, Affleck admitted he’s biased but said he has enormous respect and admiration for her work.

It’s a familiar stance for the actor. Through every twist in their relationship, he has remained consistent in praising Lopez’s abilities, and he called her incredible in her role when the pair made a surprise red carpet appearance together at the film’s New York premiere last October.

Affleck also opened up about his new Netflix thriller ‘Animals’, which he directs, co-wrote and stars in as Mark Kimball, a Los Angeles mayoral candidate whose life is shattered when his young son is kidnapped. Garner had been in talks to join the film when Matt Damon was originally set to star.

New trailer for ‘ANIMALS’, directed by & starring Ben Affleck. The film follows a mayoral candidate who must steal money to pay a ransom after his son is kidnapped. Releasing October 9 on Netflix. https://t.co/bWPQvlZJTd

— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) September 15, 2026

Once Damon dropped out due to a scheduling conflict with ‘The Odyssey’ and Affleck stepped into the lead himself, he decided it wasn’t a good idea to have his real-life ex play his on-screen wife. He explained that a film needs to preserve its illusion, though he also said he’d like to work with Garner more in the future.

Kerry Washington instead plays his wife Abigail, with Gillian Anderson and Steven Yeun rounding out the cast. ‘Animals’ arrived on Netflix and in select theaters on October 9. The interview also found Affleck in a reflective mood about relationships.

Discussing the film’s themes, he suggested there is far more to marriage than sharing a house and kids, describing it as a partnership people commit to because it’s easier and wiser. He added that eventually reality sets in, when you discover your partner is messy or snores, raising the question of when someone can truly show who they are.

He also spoke about sharing custody of his children with Garner and the importance of being present in their lives. As for his own love life, it doesn’t appear to be a priority. At the Los Angeles premiere of ‘Animals’ on October 2, he told ET that most of his time is taken up by work and his kids.

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