Josh Duhamel Reveals What It's Really Like Working With Jennifer Lopez
The world of pop culture was met with exciting news when it was announced that "All My Children" actor Josh Duhamel had been cast as the lead in the romantic comedy action film "Shotgun Wedding." The film, produced by Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Reynolds, follows a couple with cold feet and their families as they gather for a destination wedding that turns sour when they become trapped in a hostage situation, according to People. Duhamel replaced Armie Hammer, who had originally been cast in the lead role. Hammer dropped out of the project after multiple women came forward with allegations that the actor spoke frequently about violent sexual acts, like rape and cannibalism, according to HuffPost. After taking the role, Duhamel reached out to Hammer. "I know Armie a little bit," Duhamel told Man About Town. "And when I knew I was gonna get the part I emailed him and said, 'Listen, I know you are going through it right now, I don't like to get roles like this and I just wanted to let you know that I am thinking about you and good luck, get through it.'"
Lopez – who has been romantically tied to her ex, Ben Affleck – will be playing Duhamel's bride-to-be in "Shotgun Wedding," and the actor admitted that his ex-wife, singer Fergie, helped prepare him to work with Lopez.
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Josh Duhamel revealed that Jennifer Lopez was a creative force on set
During an interview on SiriusXM's "The Jess Cagle Show," Josh Duhamel noted that he was not intimidated by working with Jennifer Lopez at all. According to the actor, his ex-wife, Black Eyed Peas member Fergie, actually first introduced him to Lopez years before they worked together. "I've known her for years," Duhamel said, according to Us Weekly. "Back when I was married to Fergie, we were in Miami ... I don't remember why, but we were there and we all hung out. I'd see her at certain events. So, I've known her. I was comfortable with her." Duhamel also revealed that Lopez was an unstoppable force on the set and was "always present, always collaborative, came with ideas, really wants to do a good job," according to Us Weekly. Duhamel and Fergie ended their relationship of a decade and a half back in 2019.
Though Duhamel enjoyed filming the movie with Lopez, he recalled a near-death experience he had while on the set of "Shotgun Wedding" in the Dominican Republic. During his off-time, Duhamel was filming a video on a cliff near the ocean when a large wave crashed into him, nearly sending him over the side of the cliff. The only thing that saved him was the sharp coral on the cliff that cemented him in place, he recounted on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," according to Insider. "Shotgun Wedding" is set to be released in June of 2022, via Variety.