Kevin Smith Says 'Biggest Blowback' ofChasing AmyWas When Ellen DeGeneres 'Walked Out' of Lesbian Comedy: We 'Lost Her'

Mar. 15, 2025

Kevin Smith in Los Angeles on March 27, 2023; Ellen DeGeneres in Montecito, California, on March 2, 2024.Photo:Albert L. Ortega/Getty; Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Albert L. Ortega/Getty; Eric Charbonneau/Getty

Kevin Smithis recalling the gut punch of hearing that “the most famous lesbian in the world” walked out of a screening of his 1997 LGBTQ+ movieChasing Amy.In filmmakerSav Rodgers' newly released documentaryChasing Chasing Amy, Smith said, “The biggest blowback, God’s truth, that I heard, felt and was told about was when they told me thatEllen [DeGeneres]and [then-partner]Anne Hechewent to seeChasing Amy, and it was reported that they walked out in the first half hour.““And us being like, ‘Well, that’s the most famous lesbian in the world. We just lost her. That means we’re never getting onThe Ellen Show,’ " added Smith, 54, of DeGeneres, whocame out the same yearChasing Amywas released.A rep for DeGeneres, 66, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday, Dec. 17.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres in Beverly Hills, California, in 1999.Barry King/WireImageChasing AmystarsBen Affleckas Holden McNeil, a comic-book writer and artist who falls in love with fellow comic-book writer Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). Alyssa, who is a lesbian, reciprocates Holden’s feelings — but everything goes haywire when he learns she has had sexual relationships with other men in the past.The story is told through Holden’s lens but also features “harsh terminology” from characters like the homophobic Banky (Jason Lee), whom Smith said is gay and acting out due to his own “repressed” sexuality.InChasing Chasing Amy, Smith explores the film’s controversial nature, saying he “of course” understands why some people in the LGBTQ+ community might not like it, to this day.“Absolutely. Believe me, I’ve had 22 years to get used to that. I got used to that on the f—ing first week it came out,” the director added. “There were some people … who were upset.“The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams inChasing Amy(1997).Miramax/Kobal/ShutterstockDespite some negative feedback about the film,Chasing Amyremains one of Smith’s most beloved films, and holds an 87% rating onRotten Tomatoes.It alsoresuscitated Smith’s once-failing career, which he said in the documentary “began” with his 1994 debut filmClerksand was “killed” with his sophomore effortMallratsthe following year.Speaking of the latter movie, the filmmaker said, “So you got me needing to do something to stay in this business, or else we were out.““That’s a big part of where [Chasing Amy] comes from. And then, of course, Joey,” Smith continued of Adams, 56, whom he met on the set ofMallratsand was dating at the time. “Chasing Amywithout Joey would’ve been a soulless husk, like an idea.“Chasing Chasing Amyis now streaming on demand.

Kevin Smithis recalling the gut punch of hearing that “the most famous lesbian in the world” walked out of a screening of his 1997 LGBTQ+ movieChasing Amy.

In filmmakerSav Rodgers' newly released documentaryChasing Chasing Amy, Smith said, “The biggest blowback, God’s truth, that I heard, felt and was told about was when they told me thatEllen [DeGeneres]and [then-partner]Anne Hechewent to seeChasing Amy, and it was reported that they walked out in the first half hour.”

“And us being like, ‘Well, that’s the most famous lesbian in the world. We just lost her. That means we’re never getting onThe Ellen Show,’ " added Smith, 54, of DeGeneres, whocame out the same yearChasing Amywas released.

A rep for DeGeneres, 66, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment on Tuesday, Dec. 17.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories.

Anne Heche and Ellen DeGeneres in Beverly Hills, California, in 1999.Barry King/WireImage

Barry King/WireImage

Chasing AmystarsBen Affleckas Holden McNeil, a comic-book writer and artist who falls in love with fellow comic-book writer Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). Alyssa, who is a lesbian, reciprocates Holden’s feelings — but everything goes haywire when he learns she has had sexual relationships with other men in the past.

The story is told through Holden’s lens but also features “harsh terminology” from characters like the homophobic Banky (Jason Lee), whom Smith said is gay and acting out due to his own “repressed” sexuality.

InChasing Chasing Amy, Smith explores the film’s controversial nature, saying he “of course” understands why some people in the LGBTQ+ community might not like it, to this day.

“Absolutely. Believe me, I’ve had 22 years to get used to that. I got used to that on the f—ing first week it came out,” the director added. “There were some people … who were upset.”

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Ben Affleck and Joey Lauren Adams inChasing Amy(1997).Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

Miramax/Kobal/Shutterstock

Despite some negative feedback about the film,Chasing Amyremains one of Smith’s most beloved films, and holds an 87% rating onRotten Tomatoes.

It alsoresuscitated Smith’s once-failing career, which he said in the documentary “began” with his 1994 debut filmClerksand was “killed” with his sophomore effortMallratsthe following year.

Speaking of the latter movie, the filmmaker said, “So you got me needing to do something to stay in this business, or else we were out.”

“That’s a big part of where [Chasing Amy] comes from. And then, of course, Joey,” Smith continued of Adams, 56, whom he met on the set ofMallratsand was dating at the time. “Chasing Amywithout Joey would’ve been a soulless husk, like an idea.”

Chasing Chasing Amyis now streaming on demand.

source: people.com