Jennifer Lopez has praised Jason Statham for being the best actor "out there right now".
The actress and singer stars alongside the British tough guy in their upcoming thriller movie Parker.
Jennifer worked alongside George Clooney in the 1998 film Out of Sight, and she thinks that Jason's talents as a leading male co-star exceed George's.
“He’s up there because, you know, he has such a presence,” Jennifer gushed to Good Morning America. “I think he’s [Jason] just the best out there right now. There’s just nobody out there who can really mess with him right now.”
Jennifer praised Jason's ability to turn on the charm in a way that can rival that of ladies’ man and Sexiest Man Alive title-winner George.
“His fan base is going to be so pleased with this movie because I feel like he’s done amazing action movies, but this movie has a little bit, like I said, of that out of sight, you know, sexiness," Jennifer blushed. "But at the same time this great drama and story going on.”
The 43-year-old plays a recently divorced woman in the crime film directed by Taylor Hackford. It was Taylor offering her the part that caused Jennifer to quit her role as mentor on American Idol.
“He [Hackford] called me specifically and told me he wanted me to do it, while I was on American Idol, actually. It actually helped me in my decision when I had to make the decision on whether to stay with Idol or not," she revealed.
“I was like, you know what, it’s time for me to get back to what I do, to get back to movies and acting and going on tour. It was a big part of that decision.”
Jennifer filmed her role in Parker just as her real-life marriage to Marc Anthony was ending. She managed to juggle divorce, American Idol and the movie simultaneously, by filming her scenes during rare breaks between her two seasons on the famous US judging panel.
“I was like, ‘Okay, I hope I did not forget how to act,’” Jennifer confessed about the role. “Then when you get there and you’ve done your homework and you’re ready and I was working, like I said, with Taylor Hackford. I didn’t want to let him down.”
Jennifer has just finished her Latin pop-infused world tour with singer Enrique Iglesias. The busy mom-of-two says that since she left the hit reality show last year she hasn't had a chance to watch any of the unfolding drama between new Idol judges Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.
“I have not[watched any of American Idol]," Jennifer explained. “I kind of want to see it. I’ve been travelling a lot right now.”
