Jennifer Lopez attends premiere for Ben Affleck-produced ‘Unstoppable’

Within the new film Unstoppable, star Jharrel Jerome takes some heavy blows as real-life wrestler Anthony Robles — however costar Jennifer Lopez packed an emotional wallop of an introduction into the world-premiere screening for the challenge, which was produced by her now ex, Ben Affleck.

Following a sustained standing ovation for the fact-based sports activities drama, Lopez took the stage alongside fellow stars Jerome, Don Cheadle, and Bobby Cannavale Friday night time on the 2024 Toronto Worldwide Movie Competition to introduce Robles’ mom, Judy, whom she performed within the movie.

“I’ve the pleasure to introduce [her], as a result of it was a pleasure and honor to not solely meet however painting a girl that poured her coronary heart, soul, and her blood, actually, into her youngsters, instructing them that nothing is extra vital than household,” Lopez, 55, mentioned on stage at TIFF’s Roy Thomson Corridor venue, the place Affleck, 52, was not in attendance as he and Lopez navigate their high-profile divorce course of. “In opposition to all odds and obstacles, she rose, main by instance to indicate her youngsters that they, too might be unstoppable,” Lopez mentioned.

Judy Robles joined Lopez on stage, wiping away tears as she embraced the actress, then turned to the gang and launched her son, crying as Anthony walked out to a different standing ovation.

Directed by longtime movie editor William Goldenberg as his characteristic directing debut, Unstoppable follows Anthony’s true story, charting his rise to beat all odds and win a nationwide wrestling championship after being born with one leg.

“Once I learn the script, I felt like so many ladies, together with myself, may relate to the struggles that [Judy] had gone by in her life. The story, being a Latino story, being so inspiring, it grabbed me,” Lopez mentioned of Judy’s life, which included grappling with a unstable accomplice (performed by Cannavale) and serving to her son’s coach (Cheadle) at Arizona State College preserve Anthony on monitor.

Lopez continued: “Once I met Judy — we met over Zoom — I used to be like, I actually need to speak to this individual. Thank God they’re alive, as a result of I’ve performed real-life individuals too, I’ve performed Selena and Puchi [in El Cantante], and I wasn’t in a position to converse to them, clearly. So, this was a distinct form of expertise.”

The star — who final attended TIFF to immense essential reward for her flip in 2019’s Hustlers — admitted that speaking to Judy made her understand “that we have been virtually the identical individual in a bizarre method regardless that we have been so totally different and had such totally different lives,” as a result of “on the core and coronary heart of who we have been, first we have been mothers.” (Lopez shares 16-year-old twins Emme and Max with ex-husband Marc Anthony.)

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Lopez thanked Anthony and Judy for trusting the solid and crew with bringing their story to life within the movie: “It is likely one of the most lovely and galvanizing tales I’ve ever seen on display screen,” she completed.

Unstoppable — which might be launched later this 12 months by Amazon MGM Studios — was produced by Affleck and his longtime pal and filmmaking accomplice Matt Damon, who posed for pictures with Lopez on the TIFF premiere however didn’t be part of her onstage.

Watch Lopez embrace a tearful Judy within the video above.