Ben Affleck has checked into rehab for the third time after his estranged wife Jennifer Garner staged an intervention, according to multiple reports. Garner left the 46-year-old’s home in Pacific Palisades shaken and upset on Wednesday, before returning with an unidentified woman.
According to People, Garner was not happy that she had to stage an intervention, especially such a public one, but sources tell the magazine that she felt it was a "crisis" situation.
After staging the initial intervention, Garner drove the three of them to a rehab facility; on the way, photographers captured photos of Affleck that showed an upset, tearful man who is clearly struggling. They stopped for take-out from Jack in the Box on the way.
DOWNWARD SPIRAL?
All of this comes after a week of drama, including his reported split from Saturday Night Live producer Lindsay Shookus and then his appearance with 22-year-old Playboy model Shauna Sextonon various dates. On Monday, he was photographed accepting a delivery of alcohol. (Seeing this picture reportedly prompted Garner to act).
Perhaps predictably, Twitter has not been kind. One user tweeted, “Poor Jennifer Garner, still having to take care of BenAffleckeven though they are divorced. Women as giving tree rather than humans who get to carry on with their own lives,” while another wrote: “I'd love to be Ben Affleck... 3rd stint in rehab, being driven there by a lovely ex-wife, after having partied all week with a 22yr old Playboy model, after having just broken up with a beautiful TV producer. Where was that job advertised?”
According to The Blast, the Malibu retreat he checked into focuses on substance abuse and mental health addiction. Programs include beach trips, horse-assisted therapy and meditation.
FUTURE OF BATMAN
Others wonder where this leaves the Batman franchise. His starring role has been called into question recently as director Matt Reeves is reportedly eager to explore stories about a younger version of the character.
He has played Batman in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, Suicide Squad and Justice League. The latter tanked when it opened in November, prompting widespread speculation about Affleck’s future as the caped crusader at that point.
Reeves is reportedly still working out the details of his current script for The Batman.