March 9, 2025 Ben Affleck was spotted at the premiere of his new film The Accountant 2 at the South by Southwest (SXSW) festival, where he received support from his longtime friend and co-star Matt Damon. This appearance comes in the wake of tension surrounding Affleck’s recent interactions with his ex-wife, Jennifer Gardner, which reportedly upset his current ex-wife, Jennifer Lopez.
A Night at the Premiere
Arriving separately at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, Matt Damon was seen supporting Affleck as they prepared for the red carpet event. An eyewitness reported that Damon arrived shortly before Affleck, who pulled up in a Ford pickup truck with an Airstream attached. During the event, Affleck and Damon took a moment to discuss their friendship, with Affleck stating, “You don’t need a million friends. You need a few good ones. And I’m really lucky to have had a friend in Matt.” This sentiment reflects the strong bond the two actors forged during their careers, particularly during their early days with Good Will Hunting.
Ben Affleck’s BFF Matt Damon supported his movie premiere at SXSW.Michael McKinney/Shutterstock
Tension with Jennifer Lopez
Affleck’s attendance at SXSW comes just a week after he was photographed sharing a close moment with Garner during a family outing for paintball with their children. Photos showed Affleck affectionately grabbing Garner around the waist as they engaged in the activity. Reports indicate that Lopez, who shares a complicated history with Affleck, was “furious” over the images of her ex-husband and Garner together. A source close to Lopez revealed that seeing the photos was “like salt in the wound,” suggesting that she is not pleased with the public displays of affection between Affleck and Garner.
The longtime pals arrived separately for the red carpet premiere of “The Accountant 2” in Austin, Texas, on Saturday.AFP via Getty Images
The State of Relationships
While Affleck and Garner have remained friendly co-parents since their divorce in 2018, insiders suggest that Affleck would be open to rekindling their romance if the timing were right. However, Garner is reportedly happy in her current relationship with boyfriend John Miller and is not looking to revive things with Affleck.Lopez, on the other hand, filed for divorce from Affleck in August 2024 after two years of marriage, with their divorce finalized in January 2025. Her reactions to Affleck’s interactions with Garner indicate that there are still unresolved feelings regarding their past relationships.
Conclusion
As Ben Affleck navigates the complexities of his relationships with both Jennifer Lopez and Jennifer Garner, the support from his close friend Matt Damon at SXSW serves as a reminder of the importance of friendship during turbulent times. With The Accountant 2 set to hit theaters in April 2025, Affleck is focused on his career while managing the emotional dynamics of his personal life.As fans await the release of his latest film, they will undoubtedly be watching closely to see how Affleck continues to balance his past and present relationships in the public eye.