Ben Affleck and Michael B. Jordan Discuss Their 'Big Brother-Little Brother' Friendship Together

Michael B. Jordan recalled the career advice Ben Affleck shared with him after his breakout 2013 movie 'Fruitvale Station'

Michael B. Jordan and Ben Affleck are reflecting on their Hollywood friendship.

The stars sat down for a conversation in Variety's Directors on Directors series, published Wednesday, and recalled how they first became friends after Jordan, 36, had a breakout role in Ryan Coogler's 2013 movie Fruitvale Station after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

"I remember you and Matt [Damon] had hit me and were basically like, 'Mike, your life is getting ready to change,' " Jordan told Affleck, 51. "You kinda just talked me through the movie and I was like, 'Wow, this guy actually watched the film and he likes my work.' "

"And from there, it was just like a big brother–little brother kind of relationship," he said.

"To me I just remember so clearly, I saw the movie and I was like, 'This guy is a star,' " Affleck said. 

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"It was so clear to me: This guy’s just going up, up, up, up, up, up, up, up," Affleck added. "And be ready, because I know there’s a lot of things that come along that are difficult that nobody tells you. And I had a friend doing it with me [in Damon]."

Affleck said he originally wanted to connect with Jordan as his star rose because he knew from experience that it can be "a very lonely experience sometimes."

"I was like, 'Hey, man, if you want to talk to somebody who would give you honest feedback ... I may not be right, [but] I always tell you the truth,' " he said. "I love the relationship we have. Now, I just brag about it. 'Michael Jordan's my friend. I know him.' "

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"People don't realize how big of an impact that can make on somebody, especially when you don't know what's coming next," Jordan added.

During the conversation, Affleck praised Jordan for stepping out as a first-time director with this year's Creed III. The pair also joked about another famous Michael Jordan, whose life and legacy in basketball and the sneaker industry Affleck's latest movie Air centers on.

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"I was thinking about Air on the way over here, what I took away from it. I remember when we were going to do it, I met the other Michael Jordan," Affleck joked. "That’s kind of dope that there’s now two Michael Jordans."

"I appreciate that. I’m on the Michael Mount Rushmore a little bit," Jordan responded.

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