Ben Affleck played a pivotal role in Jennifer Lopez’s documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which has seen a surge in viewership following news of their divorce.
The 52-year-old actor had ‘control’ over the project, which details the couple’s reunion and rekindled romance after 20 years apart, sources told People on Sunday.
‘He was the one who had control, pretty much,’ the insider said of the Batman vet.
‘[Affleck] was very much in favor [of the project], and he was a driving force for [Lopez] to do the movie and the album and then he insisted on the documentary, where it looked like he was hesitant and almost surprised by it,’ the source continued. ‘But that was a false narrative.
Another source added: ‘The documentary was Ben’s idea for his company, Artists Equity. Jennifer’s team didn’t want to do it since she was focused on the album and Amazon original video project.’
Ben Affleck played a pivotal role in Jennifer Lopez ‘s documentary The Greatest Love Story Never Told, which has seen a surge in viewership following news of their divorce; (pictured Friday)
The 52-year-old actor had ‘control’ over the project, which chronicles how the couple rekindled their romance after 20 years apart, sources told People on Sunday
The Prime Video film was released in February alongside JLo’s This Is Me…Now: A Love Story and music album.
The outlet’s first source also revealed that despite reports of Affleck’s discomfort with the documentary’s focus on his marriage to Lopez, 55, he was deeply involved in editing the film.
‘He was very supportive of [Lopez] making the movie and her album,’ the insider added. ‘He knew every step of the way what she was doing.’
The source said that while Affleck enjoyed the movie and album, the documentary may give the impression that he was surprised by it. In reality, he was actively involved behind the scenes.
‘He definitely took it away from the director so he could have the narrative he wanted out there,’ the insider said.
Despite reports that Ben wasn’t happy with his relationship in the public eye, the source said, ‘He not only supported that life, he encouraged it.’
‘It was almost like he’s justifying it. The need for the documentary was his idea.’
During one part of the movie, Ben admitted that he was ‘taken aback’ when he found her musicians rifling through his private love letters which JLo had given them to look at as inspiration for her next album.
!['[Affleck] was very much in favor [of the project], and he was a driving force for [Lopez] to do the movie and the album and then he insisted on the documentary, where it looked like he was hesitant and almost surprised by it,' the source continued. 'But that was a false narrative'](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/08/26/01/88902229-13779123-After_news_that_Lopez_55_filed_for_divorce_from_Affleck_52_made_-a-5_1724632483696.jpg "Ben Affleck had 'control' over JLo's love story doc 5")
‘[Affleck] was very much in favor [of the project], and he was a driving force for [Lopez] to do the movie and the album and then he insisted on the documentary, where it looked like he was hesitant and almost surprised by it,’ the source continued. ‘But that was a false narrative’
The outlet’s first source also revealed that despite reports of Affleck’s discomfort with the documentary’s focus on his marriage to Lopez, 55, he was deeply involved in editing the film;(pictured in January)
The actor had clung onto his correspondence with the singer during his 13-year marriage to Jennifer Garner – and later had the letters and emails bound into a book to gift her when they reunited in 2021.
He told the camera: ‘Things that are private I always felt are sacred and special because, in part, they’re private.’
Lopez and Affleck made headlines in 2021 when they rekindled their romance, nearly 17 years after calling off their original engagement and postponing their September 2003 wedding.
They officially parted ways in January 2004 but stayed on good terms over the years.
In April 2021, reports surfaced that the musician and the Oscar-winning director were reconnecting after Lopez’s breakup with former MLB star Alex Rodriguez.
The couple confirmed their relationship on Instagram that July and made their red carpet return at the 2021 Venice Film Festival.
In April 2022, Lopez confirmed her engagement to Affleck.
The couple then surprised everyone with a Las Vegas wedding on July 16, 2022. A month later, they hosted a grander celebration at Affleck’s 87-acre estate near Savannah, Georgia.
The source said that while Affleck enjoyed the movie and album, the documentary may give the impression that he was surprised by it. In reality, he was actively involved behind the scenes; seen in July 2003
Jennifer and Ben shocked fans worldwide when they were inadvertently captured having a very tense chat during the 2023 Grammys
The guest list included Matt Damon, Kevin Smith, Jason Mewes, and Hollywood talent agent Patrick Whitesell.
The ceremony was officiated by podcaster and life coach Jay Shetty.
Jennifer has 16-year-old twins, Max and Emme, from her marriage to Marc Anthony, which lasted from 2004 to 2014.
Affleck, who was married to Garner from 2005 to 2018, has three children with her: 18-year-old Violet, 15-year-old Fin, and 12-year-old Samuel.
