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Ben Affleck explains how Adam Driver saved his 'Star Wars' super-fan son's birthday party

Ben Affleck dropped by Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, to promote his new film The Way Back (releasing in the UK as Finding The Way Back) and, while there, Affleck shared how important his 8-year-old son is to him, and how important Star Wars is to his 8-year-old son.

However, Affleck also admitted that, recently, he almost let his Star Wars-loving son down, when he showed up to his surprise birthday party empty-handed.

Affleck had just wrapped production on The Last Duel, opposite Matt Damon and Adam Driver, and immediately jumped on a flight from London to Los Angeles to make his son's surprise birthday party.

Unfortunately, all of the birthday presents Affleck had shipped to the house weren't so punctual and, ultimately, Affleck ended up at the house sans gifts. "So I had to show up to, you know, my son's party with no gift for him," explained Affleck, who added, "It was like this sinking, awful feeling." Fortunately for Affleck, just like in Rise of Skywalker, Kylo Ren came through.

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 01: Ben Affleck attends the premiere of Warner Bros Pictures' "The Way Back" at Regal LA Live on March 01, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Ben Affleck attends the premiere of Warner Bros Pictures' "The Way Back" at Regal LA Live on March 01, 2020. (Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)

Affleck's co-worker told him that, after learning it was Affleck's son's birthday, Driver called his co-star's assistant, got Affleck's address and sent presents to Affleck’s son, including a signed card and picture from Kylo Ren.

Read more: Ben Affleck saved Matt Damon from a beating at school

"And I took those presents," said Affleck. He continued, "And went to that surprise party, saw my son, watched him open all his other presents, and I said, 'Son, my presents didn't get here on time.' And I said, 'But I did get a present from somebody who really wanted to make sure you had a gift.'"

Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in <i>The Last Jedi</i> (Disney)
Adam Driver as Kylo Ren in The Last Jedi (Disney)

"He opened the presents. I played him the video of Kylo Ren and me, and it was, like, you know. It was an incredibly moving and powerful moment," said Affleck. "Adam made me a hero to my kid and I will never, ever, ever forget it."

Affleck went on to say that, in the end, it was a great lesson to learn that small gestures of kindness go a long way because, while it may not have been a big deal for Driver, "it meant the f***ing world” to the actor.

Finding The Way Back comes to UK cinemas on 13 March. Watch a trailer below.