Kevin Smith Based Ben Affleck's 'Blissful' 'Clerks III' Cameo On An Old Joke

Kevin Smith's upcoming meta-sequel "Clerks III" is both a tribute to the struggles Smith endured to make his first film and a celebration of the cinematic universe he's built through his company, ViewAskew Productions. And it just wouldn't be a View Askewniverse movie without Ben Affleck.

Although Affleck did not appear in the original "Clerks", he has been a fixture in Smith's films ever since. After playing the famous Asshole From Fashionable Male in "Mallrats" and Holden McNeil in "Chasing Amy", he had memorable cameos in films like "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back", "Clerks II" and "Jay and Silent Bob Reboot". ”

So when it came time to shoot the long-delayed "Clerks III," Smith knew he had to reach out to Affleck about a cameo. And his old friend was happy to oblige.

Speaking to Variety at the premiere of “Clerks III,” Smith recounted the joyous experience of working with Affleck again.

Related Related

“He was like, 'I'm here. This will be great,'” Smith said. “It was so happy. He came for an hour."

Affleck plays an actor auditioning for the movie Dante and Randal do in "Clerks III," and Smith went on to explain that the character is named after an old joke between the two friends. This all stems from the fact that Affleck used to make fun of Smith all the time he spent with fans on his company's online message board.

“I had written a part for him based on this old message board we had on Viewaskew.com,” Smith said. "He was always fascinated by my time there, and he was like, 'Who are these people? Why are you talking to them?' I was like, 'Because they're my bosses; they're buying makes the tickets. It doesn't matter what a reviewer says. He's the person who paid to see the movie.'"

Affleck was particularly amused by Smith's acrimonious relationship with a user known only by the alias "Boston John".

"[Boston John] says, 'Kev, the board sucks. It's not what it used to be. Stop it,'" Smith said. : "This guy named Boston John is literally telling you what to do with your life!""

Smith never forgot that conversation. When it came time to name Affleck's character, Smith knew exactly what to call him.

"So when we went out to do the audition scene, I handed him the pages and he looked at [his character's name] and he was like, 'Boston John, the pimp!'" said Smith.

Sign Up: Stay up to date with the latest film and TV news! Sign up for our email newsletters here.