Kevin Smith explains why he didn't contact Ben Affleck amid marital strain despite wife’s suggestion
SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA: In an exclusive interview with People at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 on July 27, Kevin Smith shared why he hasn’t been in touch with his friend Ben Affleck recently.
The 53-year-old filmmaker revealed that his wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, urged him to get in touch with Affleck, 51, amid rumors of trouble in Affleck's marriage to Jennifer Lopez.
Kevin Smith reveals why he did not follow his wife's advice
Kevin Smith and Ben Affleck have a long-standing history, having collaborated on numerous films.
Their joint ventures include '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' (2022).
Speaking to the outlet at the convention, Smith told, “Obviously, he's been going through a thing, or at least that's what it says in the press and whatnot," adding, “I, being his least trustworthy friend who's very loose-lipped... My wife was like, ‘Oh, you should reach out to him.’”
Ultimately, the actor and director decided not to take his wife's advice.
“I was like, ‘The last person he needs to hear from right now is the guy who chats a lot,'" Smith says. "So when he's in a good place, he'll let me know.”
He mentioned that he plans to reach out to Affleck soon as he prepares to start work on the next 'Jay and Silent Bob' movie in the rebooted franchise, where Affleck has previously appeared.
“We shoot in the fall, so I'll be reaching out to him,” Smith said, adding, “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."
At San Diego Comic-Con, Smith, the celebrated writer-director known for his cult classic films, excited fans with a big announcement.
While presenting his new coming-of-age film, 'The 4:30 Movie,' Smith also revealed plans to direct a third chapter in the 'Jay and Silent Bob' saga, titled 'Jay and Silent Bob: Store Wars.'
A rocky stage of affair for Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez
The filmmaker's comments about Ben Affleck align with the ongoing speculation regarding the status of Affleck's marriage to Lopez, 55.
The couple has been living on opposite coasts in recent weeks, with Affleck in LA and Lopez in New York.
Additionally, the pair spent their second wedding anniversary apart, and multiple sources confirmed to People that Affleck did not attend Lopez’s recent Bridgerton-themed birthday party in the Hamptons on July 24.
In July 2022, Smith, along with his wife and 'Jay and Silent Bob' co-star Jason Mewes, was reported to have joined over 100 guests at Lopez and Affleck's wedding celebration.
The event took place at Affleck’s expansive 87-acre estate on Hampton Island Preserve in Georgia.
Since May, the couple has been living separately. Affleck moved out of their shared Beverly Hills home around that time, while Lopez has been traveling throughout Europe.
Although they have been occasionally spotted wearing their wedding rings, signs suggest that a divorce may be imminent.
