While attending San Diego Comic-Con 2024 on Saturday, July 27, filmmaker Kevin Smith, 53, discussed why he hasn’t contacted his friend Ben Affleck, 51, amidst recent rumors about strain in Affleck’s marriage to Jennifer Lopez. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Smith revealed that his wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, encouraged him to reach out to Affleck during this challenging time.
Smith acknowledged the publicized difficulties Affleck has been facing, noting, “Obviously, he’s been going through a thing, or at least that’s what it says in the press and whatnot.” Despite his wife’s suggestion, Smith decided it was best not to initiate contact at the moment. “I was like, ‘The last person he needs to hear from right now is the guy who chats a lot.’ So when he’s in a good place, he’ll let me know.”
Smith’s Future Plans to Connect with Affleck
Although Smith is currently holding off on reaching out, he plans to connect with Affleck soon. Smith is preparing to start work on the next Jay and Silent Bob movie, in which Affleck has previously appeared. “We shoot in the fall, so I’ll be reaching out to him,” Smith shared. “He may even come play, but I haven’t been anywhere near the situation. I keep reading. You guys have been providing most of the information that I know.”
The Long History Between Smith and Affleck
Smith and Affleck have a deep-rooted friendship and professional relationship that spans over two decades. They have collaborated on several films, including Mallrats (1995), Chasing Amy (1997), Dogma (1999), Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back (2001), Clerks II (2006), Jay and Silent Bob Reboot (2019), and Clerks III (2002). Their connection extends beyond work, as Smith and his wife, along with Jay and Silent Bob co-star Jason Mewes, attended Lopez and Affleck’s wedding celebration in July 2022.
Speculation Surrounding Affleck and Lopez’s Marriage
Smith’s comments come amid speculation about the status of Affleck and Lopez’s marriage. The couple has been spotted on separate coasts recently, with Affleck in Los Angeles and Lopez in New York. They also spent their second wedding anniversary apart, and reports confirmed that Affleck did not attend Lopez’s Bridgerton-themed birthday party in the Hamptons on July 24.
Smith’s Past Interactions with Affleck and Lopez
Smith reminisced about his last interaction with Affleck and Lopez, noting that they last saw each other at the premiere of Air in Los Angeles in March 2023. “They are my very famous friends. They hang out with very famous people. I saw Ben and Jen at the Air premiere last and talked to them for 20 minutes,” Smith recalled.
Smith also directed Affleck and Lopez in the 2004 film Jersey Girl and humorously took credit for their iconic couple name “Bennifer” when they reunited in 2021.
Conclusion
Despite the current rumors and speculation, Smith’s respect for his friend’s privacy is evident. As he gears up for new projects and prepares to reach out to Affleck, he remains supportive and hopeful for his friend’s well-being. For ongoing updates on Smith, Affleck, and Lopez, stay tuned to PEOPLE and sign up for the free daily newsletter to stay informed on the latest celebrity news and human interest stories.