“It was a metaphor”: Jennifer Lopez Reveals Ben Affleck’s Role in This is Me…Now: A Love Story That Will Melt Your Heart
When Jennifer Lopez announced her new album and film This Is Me…Now, fans wondered if her husband Ben Affleck might make a cameo. The emotional project sees Lopez reflecting deeply on past heartbreaks and her road to finding lasting love. In a recent interview, JLo finally confirmed Affleck will appear, but not quite as himself.
Dropping major hints, Lopez shared that Affleck’s role will be “hidden underneath” the story as a “metaphor”, a constant presence viewers may not recognize. So how exactly will the Academy Award winner factor into his wife’s most personal work to date?
What Details Has Jennifer Lopez Provided About Ben Affleck’s Role?
Without spoiling too much ahead of the February 16th debut, Jennifer Lopez suggested Affleck’s participation would be more symbolic than a straightforward supporting turn. She explained the creative team aimed to make him unrecognizable, serving as an anonymous “voice” or “feeling” throughout rather than Ben Affleck the movie star.
Jennifer Lopez teases Ben Affleck’s role in ‘THIS IS ME… NOW: A LOVE STORY.’
“It was a metaphor for having something in the back of your life all the time, in the back of your mind – this person, this voice, this thing, this feeling, this energy. We thought it would be great… pic.twitter.com/BmQWV53zZu
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) February 1, 2024
She teased:
“It was a metaphor for having something in the back of your life all the time, in the back of your mind – this person, this voice, this thing, this feeling, this energy. We thought it would be great for him to do … in the background of this hopeless romantic’s life the whole entire time. But not as himself; hidden underneath it. How different can we make you look? That’s really what it was about.”
So it seems Affleck will represent the enduring, comforting love Lopez finally found after years in the spotlight and three failed marriages. But this conceptual part likely means less screen time than fans of “Bennifer” might expect from this reunion.
Still, Lopez hinted that Affleck’s unnamed character is a constant presence, perhaps appearing in fantasy sequences, flashbacks, or even as an off-screen narrator. Whatever form the role takes, it promises to underscore the emotional arc of Lopez laying her heart bare through song and story like never before.
How Will This Project Explore Jennifer Lopez’s Past?
Along with showcasing new music, This Is Me…Now promises an unfiltered look at the romantic highs and lows that defined Lopez as both a woman and an artist. Fans can expect reflection on her very public relationships, including high-profile splits from Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cris Judd, and Marc Anthony pre-Affleck.
From the film’s trailer, recreated tabloid covers, and introspective voiceover indicate Lopez will confront all the labels, gossip, and self-doubt she endured. Raw, redemptive themes shine through with lyrics proclaiming “This is me now”, suggesting she finally feels at peace with who she is after her bumpy quest for love.
Having Affleck’s presence woven throughout likely signifies the stability Lopez ultimately found with him. Though it required rekindling their early 2000s romance decades later, Lopez seems to position their reunion as the emotional payoff that makes fully reexamining the past worthwhile.
How Have Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck Collaborated In The Past?
Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Affleck’s joint credits extend back over 20 years. They previously co-starred in the films Jersey Girl and the ill-fated Gigli, making This Is Me…Now their first on-camera reteaming since marrying last summer.
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And given the very personal subject matter, having Affleck involved in telling Lopez’s story feels especially poignant. While his exact scenes remain under wraps, early hints indicate his character will provide an anchoring presence silent support from the devoted partner Lopez spent so long seeking.
