In the wake of of his divorce announcement Ben Affleck was given a warm reception from sympathetic fans and colleagues at the Comic-Con convention in San Diego. The movie star put on a brave face to promote Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice following the news that he and Jennifer Garner have called time on their marriage, and was rewarded when the trailer was given a standing ovation.
© Photo: Getty ImagesBen Affleck is still wearing his ring and made an effort to keep the mood upbeat
Still wearing his wedding ring and flanked protectively by co-stars such as Henry Cavill and Amy Adams, Ben made an effort to keep the appearance lighthearted. He told a funny story about bumping in previous Batman actor Christian Bale by chance.
"Before I started the movie I was getting my kid's Halloween costume and my son is really into Batman and we went to a costume store in Los Angeles and it was pretty empty and I was in the aisle and I hear this 'Oi.'
"I turned around, it's Christian Bale who's the sweetest guy ever and there he and I are standing in the Batman [aisle]. I said look man you're the best, what do you think?"
In typically dry British style Christian's only advice was to make sure he would have no problem taking bathroom breaks with the suit on.
The punch line to his anecdote got a chuckle, before the 42-year-old star went on to tackle why he'd been cast. He said he questioned director Zack Snyder about his choice considering the big names that have taken on the role before.
Laughing Ben told the audience Zack said that he would be "perfect" because the character was "at the end of his rope, he's a burn out".
While Ben is in superhero mode, his estranged wife is commuting between their California home and Atlanta with their children Violet, nine, Seraphina, six and three-year-old Samuel to shoot her new film Miracles from Heaven.
It comes after a family holiday in the Bahamas at their property in the Baker's Bay resort with their children so they could all be together when their divorce was announced on 30 June.
"They were together as a family that day," a source told People. "The family felt it was important to be together and they were together. The family is united and, no matter what, will protect the kids.
"This isn't easy for anyone and it's devastating to Ben too. He loves his family and will always put them first."
The couple announced that they had parted ways on 30 June, just one day after their tenth wedding anniversary. In a joint statement they said they will "go forward with love and friendship for one another and a commitment to co-parenting our children".
Ben and Jennifer are both still living on their LA estate to co-parent their children.
