Ben Affleck knows Jennifer Lopez’s performance is going to be a hit on the town.
As a producer for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Ben had a front row seat to his ex-wife’s performance as Ingrid Luna—one he says is among her best yet.
“Jennifer is incredible in this movie,” he exclusively told E! News at the film’s Oct. 6 screening in New York City. “She's fabulous. And it's an enormously difficult—it's all these masters, so it's not edited in such a way where you can make a little mistake here and there in the dance. It’s singing and dancing and acting and also trying to hold together these multiple tones in the movie. That's just probably the maximum level of difficulty for a performer.”
But for a multi-hyphenate like J Lo, he continued, “She pulls it off with grace and aplomb and she's wonderful. I love her performance in the movie. She's amazing, spectacular, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.”
In fact, the musical-thriller was a long time coming for the Selena star.
“This role, she was just clearly born to play,” Ben said. “It's a genre that she's always wanted to do her whole life.”
It was a privilege for Ben, too, whose production company with Matt Damon helped fund the film.
“When we started Artists Equity, part of what we wanted to do was be a financier of movies and produce movies that we really believed in, that we saw had real potential that maybe other people wouldn't,” he continued. “I think the business has become more gun shy in some ways—people going to the theater less, and all sorts of reasons.”
Casting Jennifer—with whom Ben finalized his divorce after three years of marriage in January—Diego Luna and Tonatiuh, plus bringing on director Bill Condon, “was a no brained,” Ben added. “I'm hugely proud of it.”
As for how he thinks audiences will think of the movie, the 53-year-old promised, “It's wonderful. The audience is gonna respond hugely to it. And I can't wait for people to see it.”
Ben’s praise for Jennifer, despite their tumultuous personal history, should come as no surprise. After all, in the wake of their parting ways for a second time, Ben—who is dad to kids Violet, 19, Seraphina, 16, and Samuel, 13, with ex-wife Jennifer Garner—had nothing but praise for Jennifer, who for her part is mom to 17-year-old twins Max and Emme with ex Marc Anthony.
“For the record, Jennifer Lopez is spectacular,” he told Entertainment Tonight in April. “Great to my kids, great ongoing relationship with them. I love her kids. They’re wonderful. She’s [an] enormously important, tremendous person of a lot of integrity who I adore and am grateful to."
For more on Jennifer and Ben’s history together, keep reading.
Handsome Devil & Electric Elektra
Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck put their heads together at a 2003 Planet Hollywood screening of their movie Daredevil—the movie that started it all.
From Co-Stars to Couple
The hot new couple promote Daredevil in 2003. How cute are they?!
Dinner for Five
The lovebirds discuss film on Jon Favreau's open forum show Dinner for Five.
Pretty in Pink
The duo pair up at their Daredevil premiere in L.A.
Newlywed Life
The couple, who married in June 2005, look like blissful newlyweds while shopping in Brentwood.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Ben and Jen enjoy America's favorite pastime at Fenway Park in 2006 in Ben's hometown of Boston.
Golden Couple
The lovebirds only have eyes for each other at the 2007 Golden Globes.
So in Love
The lovers can't keep their hands off each other during the 2011 Critics' Choice Movie Awards.
Baby Bliss
Jen steps out after giving birth to their third child, son Samuel.
Supportive Wife
Jen supports Ben at his Hollywood Argo premiere in October 2012.
PDA Alert
The adorable couple steal a kiss in 2012.
Big Winner
Ben and Jen walk the carpet at the 2013 Oscars, where Affleck won big for Argo.
Family Fun Day
Ben and Jen take Samuel, Seraphina and Violet to the farmers market in 2013.
Dressed to the Nines
The duo make one dapper couple at the 2014 SAG Awards.
Date night
The duo leave the kids at home for a dinner date in L.A.
Stunning Stars
The gourgeous stars turn heads at the 2014 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Holiday Cheer
Ben and Jen were all smiles in December 2014.
For a Good Cause
The couple did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge together in 2014.
Rocky Romance
The duo grab juice while battling secret problems within their marriage.
Living Apart.
Despite their public PDA, Ben and Jen lived apart during a trial separation for 10 months before they announced their split.
Divorce
The lovebirds put on a united front despite breakup rumors. They later announced in June 2015 they are divorcing after 10 years of marriage.