LOS ANGELES: Hollywood actor Ben Affleck is reportedly developing a secret admiration for Angelina Jolie, the ex-wife of Brad Pitt, according to multiple media outlets including Daily Mail and RadarOnline.com.
Affleck, who recently finalised his divorce settlement with singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, is said to have revealed to a close friend that Jolie is his ultimate celebrity crush.
A source cited by Daily Mail claimed that Affleck has long found Jolie “very hot” and admires how she has handled her career with intelligence and grace.
“He also thinks it’s pretty cool that she has directed films too, something he has done many times with The Town and Argo,” the insider added. “They would certainly have a lot to talk about over dinner.”
This isn’t the first time Affleck and Pitt’s romantic paths have overlapped. Both previously dated actress Gwyneth Paltrow.
Pitt was engaged to Paltrow from 1994 to 1997, while Affleck dated her shortly thereafter, from 1997 until 2000.
The new rumours about Affleck’s interest in Jolie come in the wake of reports that his recent divorce from Lopez left him reflecting on his personal life and future.
In a recent interview with GQ Magazine, the Oscar-winning actor addressed speculation surrounding the cause of the split.
Affleck denied any scandal, stating: “There’s no scandal, no soap opera, no intrigue… It’s just sort of embarrassing.”
He went on to explain that the end of the relationship was simply “a story about people trying to figure out their lives and relationships in ways that we all sort of normally do.”
According to RadarOnline.com, Affleck and Jolie, who is also currently single, have crossed paths in the past — notably at the 2001 Vanity Fair Oscar party, where Affleck was reportedly seen whispering in Jolie’s ear.
While nothing romantic emerged at the time, sources suggest there was a noticeable warmth in their interaction.
Both actors share a strong commitment to family. Affleck has three children — Violet, Fin, and Samuel — with his former wife Jennifer Garner.
Jolie, meanwhile, is raising six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne — from her marriage to Brad Pitt.
Meanwhile, RadarOnline.com has reported that Lopez is said to be considering a response of her own following Affleck’s remarks in the media, particularly after he described their breakup as “embarrassing” and admitted their different temperaments contributed to the challenges in their relationship.
