Jennifer Lopez and Matt Damon Have 'Long, Deep Conversation' at 'Unstoppable' Afterparty amid Ben Affleck Divorce (Source) (original) (raw)
Jennifer Lopez; Matt Damon. Photo:
Michael Buckner/Variety via Getty; Sam Santos/Shutterstock
Jennifer Lopez and Matt Damon engaged in a "deep conversation" at an Unstoppable afterparty following the movie’s premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), a source tells PEOPLE.
After posing for group pictures together at the premiere on Friday, Sept. 6, the source says that Lopez, 55, and Damon, 53, hung out and talked for over 20 minutes at the afterparty, which was held at EPOCH Bar & Kitchen Terrace at The Ritz-Carlton.
The insider says Lopez — who stars in Unstoppable and is a co-producer alongside Damon — was sitting at a table outside with the actor's wife Luciana Damon and costar Don Cheadle when Damon joined them.
“Jen and Matt began talking and had a long, deep conversation,” the source says, adding that the two friends laughed and spoke more seriously, and for several minutes, they clasped hands as they spoke.
Noticeably absent from the movie’s premiere and afterparty was co-producer Ben Affleck.
Bobby Cannavale, Jharrel Jerome, Jennifer Lopez, Don Cheadle and Matt Damon at the 'Unstoppable' premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 6, 2024.
Monica Schipper/Getty
The biopic — which follows the real-life story of wrestler Anthony Robles, who was born with one leg and eventually won a NCAA national championship in 2011 — was produced under Affleck, 52, and Damon’s production company Artists Equity. Lopez portrays Robles’ mother Judy Robles in the film, which earned a standing ovation from the crowd as the credits rolled at TIFF.
On stage during the Q&A after the screening, Lopez underscored how important it was to do Judy's story justice.
" I think it was my job really to help her feel safe," she said, "Both of them, Anthony and Judy, to feel safe and kind of put this in our hands and trust us with all the information that they could give us and know that we wouldn't misuse it in any way, but only use it to tell their story in the best and most beautiful way that it deserved. Because it is one of the most beautiful, most inspiring stories I think I've ever seen on screen."
The premiere marked Lopez’s first major public appearance since she filed for divorce from Affleck on Aug. 20 after two years of marriage.
Last month, sources told PEOPLE that Lopez and Damon planned on attending the TIFF premiere, while Affleck would not be present.
On the same day as the event, Affleck was seen stepping out in Los Angeles wearing a navy suit and sunglasses.
Jennifer Lopez, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Luciana Damon at the 2024 Golden Globes.
Todd Williamson/CBS via Getty
Lopez, meanwhile, wowed on the red carpet in an eye-popping silver gown by Tamara Ralph, as she posed with Damon and cast members Cheadle, Jharrel Jerome and Bobby Cannavale.
The floor-length dress featured high splits up both sides, tied together with oversized black velvet bows.
She teamed the look with a matching metallic Judith Leiber clutch and Dolce and Gabbana platform high heels, as well as Hassanzadeh jewelry.
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Jennifer Lopez on the 'Unstoppable' red carpet at TIFF.
Cindy Ord/Getty
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Lopez and Affleck married in Las Vegas on July 17, 2022, before having a second wedding with family and friends in Georgia in August 2022. She filed for divorce on the second anniversary of their Georgia wedding, citing irreconcilable differences.
“She tried really hard to make things work, and is heartbroken," a source previously told PEOPLE of Lopez.
Unstoppable is in select theaters in December, and coming soon to Prime Video.