AceShowbiz -

Ben Affleck is reportedly blaming Jennifer Lopez for his career failures after the flop backlash of their 2003 movie "Gigli". According to Celeb Dirty Laundry, Affleck "still has some strong feelings about his relationship" with his ex-girlfriend, and says that his "romance with Lopez was the reason" why he suffered so many career failures.

However, Gossip Cop has debunked the sensational story made up by CBL, confirming that Affleck is not "putting all the blame on Jennifer Lopez." Affleck's comments are actually about the media coverage surrounding their relationship, pointing out that it was media's obsession with their love life which affected his career.

"It could have been a bad movie no one cared about. Angelina Jolie had a bad movie that year and nobody cared," the 44-year-old actor said during a TimesTalks event with the New York Times, throwing shade at one of Jolie's movies in 2003, "Beyond Borders" / "Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life".

"But because I was dating Jennifer Lopez that made it a big f*****g deal, you know? And not only is it a bad movie but, 'They're dating each other in the bad movie!' " the "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" actor continued, before defending "Gigli" and said that director Martin Brest was "one of the best directors I ever worked with."

"It got unfairly maligned," Affleck added. "I literally remember there was a reporter doing like a stand-up with his camera out in front of the theater that Friday morning, [saying] 'Here I am outside of 'Gigli', and as you can see, no one in line for the movie today!' I was like, 'What is this, hurricane coverage?' "

Affleck and the songstress ended their relationship in 2004 after dating for 18 months. Later that year, Affleck married Jennifer Garner, with whom he shares three kids. In 2012, Affleck said that he was still in touch with Lopez. The former couple was spotted together for the last time at the 2015 Oscars.