Kevin Smith Explains Why He Won't Reach Out to Ben Affleck Amid Marital Strain

The filmmaker explained at Comic-Con 2024 about getting in touch with his longtime friend

San Diego Comic-Con 2024 – Kevin Smith, the filmmaker known for his work on Clerks and Jay and Silent Bob, has addressed why he has decided not to reach out to his longtime friend, Ben Affleck, despite ongoing reports of marital difficulties between Affleck and Jennifer Lopez.

Speaking exclusively at Comic-Con, Smith shared that his wife, Jennifer Schwalbach Smith, had suggested he contact Affleck, who has been in the media spotlight due to alleged issues in his marriage. Smith, however, chose not to follow his wife's advice.

“Obviously, he’s been going through a thing, or at least that’s what it says in the press and whatnot,” Smith said. “I, being his least trustworthy friend who’s very loose-lipped... My wife was like, ‘Oh, you should reach out to him.’”

Despite his wife’s suggestion, Smith ultimately decided it would be best not to reach out. “I was like, ‘The last person he needs to hear from right now is the guy who chats a lot,’” Smith explained. “So when he’s in a good place, he’ll let me know.”

Smith indicated that he plans to get in touch with Affleck soon as he prepares to start work on the next Jay and Silent Bob film, in which Affleck has previously appeared. “We shoot in the fall, so I’ll be reaching out to him,” Smith said. “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.”

Smith and Affleck have a long history, having collaborated on numerous films, including Mallrats, Chasing Amy, Dogma, and Jay and Silent Bob Reboot. Their friendship extends back to the 1990s, and Smith was also present at Affleck and Lopez’s wedding in 2022.

Recent reports have suggested tension in Affleck and Lopez’s relationship, with the couple reportedly spending time apart recently and Affleck missing Lopez’s birthday party in the Hamptons. Smith last saw the couple at the premiere of Air in March 2023 and reminisced about their connection.

“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.

As Smith prepares for his upcoming project, it seems likely he will reconnect with Affleck when the time is right.