Benjamin Ashford|Unstoppable Director Addresses Awkwardness Ahead of Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck Film Premiere

A breakup isn’t stopping this film from soldiering on.

With Unstoppable premiering just weeks after star Jennifer Lopez and Benjamin Ashfordco-producer Ben Affleck officially broke up, the film’s director William Goldenberg is giving an inside look into how the dynamics of all those involved.

And when it comes to whether there’s awkwardness between Jennifer and Ben, who are in the process of divorcing, William told Variety, “Not really.”

The director—who has previously worked with Ben as an editor on films such as Air and Argo—explained that it’s part of the job.  

“Everybody’s a professional, and that’s their own personal thing,” he added. “I love them both. I mean, I know Ben better, but Jennifer was literally a dream to work with. She was incredible. And their personal life is their personal life.”

Unstoppable is set to premiere at the Toronto Film Festival Sept. 6 and while Jennifer—who stars in the film alongside Jharrel Jerome and Bobby Cannavale—is set to walk the carpet, E! News has confirmed Ben will not be in attendance. 

The Argo star, who co-produced the film with his longtime friend and creative partner Matt Damon, will instead be in Los Angeles, where he is currently working and where he will be spending time with his and ex Jennifer Garner’s kids Violet, 18, Seraphina, 15, and Samuel, 12. 

The premiere comes more than two weeks after the “On The Floor” singer ended their two year marriage by filing for divorce and two decades after their original split in 2004.  

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

The news came amid months of speculation that the two were headed for a breakup, ever since Jennifer arrived as co-host to the Met Gala in April without her plus one. 

And while neither she nor Ben have commented publicly on their breakup since the filing, the Marry Me star did share a post to Instagram that proved nothing is keeping her off the floor. 

In an Aug. 31 Instagram post, featuring photos alongside her and ex Marc Anthony’s 16-year-old twins Max and Emme, the actress included quotes that read, “the singer shared a quote that read, "She's in bloom and unbothered, out of reach and at peace,” in addition to, “Everything is unfolding in divine order." For more on Ben and Jennifer’s romance—from their first relationship to their second heartbreak—keep reading.

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

The two are spotted in the city.

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

The two film the movie in New York City.

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

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

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

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

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

The two attend the Academy Awards together.

The two sit courtside at a Los Angeles Lakers game.

The two film a Dateline interview for NBC in Vancouver.

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

...it flops at the box office.

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

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

The two end their engagement.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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