Ana de Armas has broken up with Tom Cruise following an eight-month relationship, and insiders say her former partner Ben Affleck is thrilled she’s available again. The 53-year-old actor reportedly yearns for another chance with de Armas, his ex-girlfriend from more than five years ago.
One source said Affleck is “happy as can be” that de Armas has become available once more and intends to explore whether they might reconcile. Those familiar with the situation indicate he’s prepared to pursue a reconciliation, believing their connection was extraordinary.
The situation carries an extra layer of complexity: Affleck and Cruise used to be friends. When the 64-year-old Cruise started seeing de Armas, 38, in early 2025, one source said Affleck has jealous tendencies and found it uncomfortable to see de Armas in a relationship with someone he considered a friend.
The Pandemic Romance That Never Really Ended
The Oscar winner and de Armas crossed paths on the set of thriller “Deep Water,” a project shot in early 2020 that hit theaters in 2022. Their romance kicked off around March 2020, becoming tabloid fodder as photographers caught them on daily dog walks throughout Los Angeles during pandemic shutdowns. They broke up in January 2021, and a cardboard cutout of de Armas being discarded in a trash can outside Affleck’s residence soon became viral internet folklore.
Friends of Affleck claim the attraction to his former co-star persisted long after their split. One insider revealed he kept mentioning de Armas throughout his reunion and two-year marriage to Jennifer Lopez, 56. The actor reportedly “hasn’t been able to forget” de Armas, with the lockdown-era connection leaving an indelible mark on him.
Professional Jealousy and Playful Revenge Plans
The dynamic between Affleck and Cruise extends beyond romantic complications into career territory. Sources indicate Affleck has long felt some envy toward Cruise’s action-movie empire and massive fortune. However, the same insider emphasized the sentiment isn’t hostile — Affleck sincerely respects that someone in his sixties continues to lead blockbuster productions and aspires to achieve similar career staying power.
Friends of Affleck have jokingly suggested that he ought to retaliate against Cruise by pursuing a romance with the star’s former spouse, Katie Holmes. The main obstacle is geography: Affleck resides in Los Angeles, while Holmes has made New York City her primary residence.
This isn’t the first woman both men have been connected to. The Oscar winner was romantically involved with Gwyneth Paltrow intermittently between 1997 and 2000. Cruise, by contrast, filmed a notable kissing scene with Paltrow over twenty years ago. Paltrow once recalled that she “got to make out with Tom Cruise” and called him an amazing kisser.
Attempts at Closure Met With Resistance
During Cruise and de Armas’ relationship, Affleck’s efforts to reach out to his former girlfriend apparently created friction. People close to the situation claimed Cruise felt protective of the relationship and wasn’t enthusiastic about Affleck resuming contact with de Armas. One source said Cruise “trusts Ana” but keeps a wary eye on Affleck.
The friction arose because Affleck wanted a relaxed, uncomplicated friendship with de Armas, much like his relationship with former spouse Jennifer Garner. People familiar with the breakup say Affleck and de Armas parted ways amicably and promised to remain connected, yet Affleck reportedly confessed he never achieved true closure following their separation. He’s said to appreciate her companionship, particularly as he’s navigated a time of considerable isolation.
From Whirlwind Romance to Sudden Split
Cruise and de Armas became publicly connected on Valentine’s Day 2025, when photographers captured them dining together in London. By summer, their relationship was official, featuring private jet excursions and luxury vacations. Near de Armas’ 37th birthday, a fan photographed the couple strolling through a London park on a sunny day — she had on a light pink tee paired with slim-fit jeans and held a Louis Vuitton shoulder bag, accompanied by bodyguards.
The romance has now ended. Affleck’s circle says he’s ready to make a move now that de Armas is unattached. His personal life has faced intense examination since ending his brief remarriage to Lopez that concluded in 2024; the couple wed in 2022 and formally split in 2024, finalizing the dissolution in early 2025. Affleck, who has struggled with drinking problems and experienced a setback in 2019, is said to be on more stable footing currently.
Those close to Affleck acknowledge de Armas wasn’t thrilled with how their relationship ended. Whether she’s interested in rekindling what they once had remains uncertain. Still, his friends say he’s willing to take the risk, convinced that what they had was something rare. The question now is whether this potential Hollywood reunion will materialize.