How did a low-key director like Kevin Smith get stars like Matt Damon and Ben Affleck in his movie?

I'm talking about 'Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back'


There were others as well: Jason Biggs, James Van Der Beek, Chris Rock, Mark Hamill and Carrie Fisher|||After Clerks there was nothing small time about Kevin Smith.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109445/|||cause they are friends.At least that's what i heard.same with adam sandler.he mostly cast he's friends in he's movies