Let’s be honest—when most people think of Ben Affleck, “awkward flirter” probably isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
But the actor got real this week and proved he’s a lot more relatable than we thought.
While stepping out in style for The Accountant 2 premiere in Los Angeles on Wednesday, the 52-year-old star made waves—not just for his sharp new look, but also for opening up about his personal struggles post-divorce.
Rocking a New Look on the Red Carpet
Affleck looked polished and cool in a navy blue suit as he made his way down the red carpet.
Fans couldn’t help but notice his fresh, darker hair and beard—clearly dyed, with no trace of the salt-and-pepper tones he’s sported in recent years.
The new look matched the movie’s sleek, suspenseful vibe, and honestly, it’s giving major leading-man energy.
He was joined by his co-star Jon Bernthal, who plays his brother in the film.
Bernthal, 48, kept it effortlessly classic with a black suit and white tee combo.
A Sequel Eight Years in the Making
The Accountant 2 picks up eight years after the events of the original 2016 film.
Ben reprises his role as Christian Wolff, a brilliant forensic accountant with autism who’s thrown into the chaos of solving a high-stakes murder.
This time, the plot centers on Christian and his brother Brax, played by Bernthal, as they try to crack the case of a slain treasury agent.
The film’s creative team is stacked with returning names—director Gavin O’Connor and writer Bill Dubuque are back, along with producers Lynette Howell Taylor, Mark Williams, and, of course, Affleck himself.
He also brought in his longtime friend Matt Damon to help produce.
Life After J.Lo and Flirting Struggles
Ben’s big night came with a side of vulnerability. During a press junket for the film, he opened up about how he’s not exactly smooth when it comes to flirting—something that still surprises many, considering his romantic history with women like Jennifer Garner, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ana de Armas, and, of course, Jennifer Lopez.
Having finalized his divorce from J.Lo in January after two and a half years of marriage, Ben admitted that he shares more in common with his emotionally guarded character than people might expect.
“Here’s a guy who wants to be in a relationship,” Ben said of Christian.
“He’s trying to figure out how to do that, how to put himself out there—but he’s not comfortable.”
He then added, “It’s like that for a lot of us. You don’t know what signals mean, if someone likes you, if you’re going to embarrass yourself. It’s hard.”
A Line-Dancing Scene and a Bit of Humor
One of the movie’s scenes has Christian trying to connect on a date by—wait for it—line dancing.
Ben said he was proud of that moment, calling it “kind of a lovely thing,” even if it’s not the kind of skill that’s going to earn him more dance roles.
“I probably won’t get any more offers for line-dancing work,” he joked. “The phone hasn’t rung yet.”
Angelina Jolie Is on Ben’s Radar
In another unexpected reveal, Affleck reportedly told a friend that his ultimate movie star crush is none other than Angelina Jolie.
Despite her focus on raising her six kids and stepping back from the spotlight, Ben apparently finds her both “hot” and “smart,” and he admires how she’s navigated her career and directed films—something he has in common with her.
“They’d definitely have a lot to talk about over dinner,” a source shared.
Okay Ben, we see you shooting your shot (respectfully).
Celebs Turn Up in Style
The red carpet wasn’t just about Ben and Jon. Reality star Larsa Pippen, 50, made her red carpet debut with former pro basketball player Jeff Coby, 31, and the two looked pretty cozy.
The couple have reportedly been dating since January, and Larsa looked stunning in a sheer black dress that showed off her toned legs.
Her appearance comes over a year after her split from Marcus Jordan—yep, Michael Jordan’s son.
She was previously married to NBA icon Scottie Pippen, with whom she shares four children.
Also in attendance was The Hills alum Heidi Montag, 38, who turned heads by going shirtless under a fitted black suit.
She shared a sweet red carpet moment with her husband Spencer Pratt, 41.
Familiar Faces Round Out the Cast
J.K. Simmons, 70, also made an appearance looking sharp in all black.
He reprises his role from the first Accountant film and stars alongside newcomers Danielle Pineda, Grant Harvey, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson.
The Countdown Is On
Fans won’t have to wait long—The Accountant 2 is set to hit theaters on April 25, 2025.
With the return of beloved characters, a deeper dive into Christian Wolff’s life, and some unexpected charm (plus a little awkward flirting), this sequel is shaping up to be a must-watch.