Adam Driver just starred in The Last Duel alongside Ben Affleck as his right hand man, and although he does do some heavy lifting in the film for Affleck’s Count character, the star owes Driver in real life for a very different reason. Apparently, the Star Wars star sent his colleague’s son Samuel some seriously needed birthday gifts after finding out that the 9-year-old was a huge Kylo Ren fan, saving Affleck from a very unfortunate birthday disappointment.
After completely roasting his childhood friend and sometimes creative partner Matt Damon, Ben Affleck got into the importance of spending time with his son on his birthday, even in the midst of filmmaking. During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, Affleck said he flew from France to LA for his son’s birthday, a day he made clear was important to take off from filming, and had presents for the surprise party sent ahead of him. Unfortunately, the presents did not arrive when they were supposed to, and Affleck arrived to his son’s party empty-handed. Well, almost empty-handed, anyway.
Ben Affleck explains that he had previously spoken to Adam Driver about his son loving Star Wars and believed the franchise to be real. Because of this, Affleck had told Samuel he was making a movie with Kylo Ren, instead of the actor who plays Kylo Ren, and Driver made a video for the birthday boy. Unbeknownst to Affleck, though, Driver also sent a bunch of Kylo Ren gifts for the birthday party. The experience of being able to give those gifts to his son was super memorable and meaningful.
He opens the presents, I played him the video of Kylo Ren, and it was an incredibly moving and powerful moment. Adam made me a hero to my kid, and I will never, ever, ever forget that.
In short, he totally knows he owes the Star Wars actor. Still, when Ben Affleck spoke about the experience and the reaction of his son, he had so much emotion behind his voice and expression. He seemed truly moved by the gesture Adam Driver showed, and in the same appearance he talked about how powerful such a small gesture can often be.
It’s a really good lesson, in doing those small gestures of kindness because you have no idea. I mean for him, he’s like ‘Yeah, send him the toy, the Kylo Ren doll, the Kylo Ren lego, the Kylo Ren thing, and the little picture of Kylo Ren signed by Kylo Ren’ and it was...it meant the fucking world to me.
Ben Affleck really has a point here. To Adam Driver, it probably took very little string pulling to arrange some gifts to be sent to Affleck’s son even with his busy schedule. It was probably as simple as placing a phone call. But to Affleck and his son, it made a world of a difference. Not only did the 9-year-old birthday boy get an experience that made his night shine, but Affleck didn’t have to feel too crushed about greeting his son with none of the presents he had wanted to give him.
Adam Driver does have a young son, and with any luck he’s just as in love with Batman as Ben Affleck’s son is in love with Star Wars so perhaps the debt can be paid in full. Until then, though, we’re just left with the lesson of how magic can happen with the smallest amount of effort if the heart is in the right place… and, of course, how Adam Driver is the GOAT.
