Steven Spielberg, one of Hollywood’s most acclaimed directors, once turned down the opportunity to direct Ben Affleck in a film, according to filmmaker Mike Binder. This intriguing tidbit surfaced during Binder’s appearance on Stephen Baldwin’s “One Bad Movie” podcast.

During the podcast, Binder, now 67 years old, recounted discussions he had with Spielberg about the possibility of Spielberg directing the film Man About Town. Released in 2006, the movie stars Ben Affleck as a successful Hollywood agent navigating the complexities of the industry. At that time, Spielberg, now 79, and Binder were both residents of the Palisades, and their conversations often revolved around themes of power and personal struggles.

Binder shared that Spielberg had expressed a keen interest in working on a project together, saying, “We gotta do something together. I want you to write something for me.” Initially, Spielberg intended to direct the film; however, he eventually decided to step back and take on a producer role instead, agreeing to produce the movie through his studio, DreamWorks.

Following Spielberg’s decision to produce rather than direct, Binder approached Affleck to discuss the lead role. The choice seemed fitting, as Affleck, who has been a prominent figure in Hollywood for over two decades, is known for his deep ties to his New England roots and his unwavering love for Dunkin’ coffee. Although born in Berkeley, California, Affleck moved to Massachusetts at the age of three and has proudly represented his Bostonian heritage throughout his career.

A Boston boy through and through. Ben Affleck has been a Hollywood A-lister for more than two decades, but he’s never forgotten his New England roots (or his love of Dunkin’ coffee). Born in Berkeley, California, the avid Red Sox fan moved to Massachusetts with his family when he was just 3 years old. He […]

“We make a deal that he’s gonna do it, we shake hands, he’ll do it,” Binder recalled of Affleck. Spielberg, however, allegedly refused to be involved if the Argo star was cast in the project. “I call Steven, Steven says, ‘No. Can’t do it with him. We just bombed a movie with him, he’s got that whole J.Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him,’” Binder said. (Affleck began dating Lopez, 56, in 2002 and proposed to her the same year. After receiving heavy public scrutiny, the pair called off their wedding, parting ways in 2004. The exes rekindled their love in 2021 and got married the following year. In August 2024, Lopez filed for divorce. The split was finalized in early 2025.)

Spielberg went on to claim that Affleck mistreated his son during a pool fight. 

“‘My son was a little boy, he was playing in the pool, and he got out of the pool, and Ben came in fully dressed, and my son pushed Ben into the pool,’” Spielberg said, according to Binder. “‘And Ben got really mad at him, and he came out of the pool and picked him up and threw him back into the pool, and made my son cry.’”

Binder questioned what the point of the story was. 

The king of entertainment! From Indiana Jones to Jaws, Steven Spielberg is one of the most well-known and successful directors of all time. The E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial director was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in December 1946, though his family moved to Phoenix 10 years later, where he spent his formative years. Spielberg’s interest in film […]

“I said, ‘OK, what does this have to do with anything?’” he recalled. “He says, ‘I just don’t like to work with him. Plus his last two movies bombed. Find somebody else. Anyone but him. He’s cold as hell.’ I said, ‘OK, Steven.’”

When Binder told Affleck’s team that Spielberg wasn’t interested in him, Affleck had an inkling about the reason.

“Ben calls me up, he says, ‘Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that what happened? Is that why I’m not on your movie?’” Binder alleged. “I said, ‘No, he didn’t say’ — ‘Yes he did! He told you I threw his kid in the water. That’s why I’m not on the movie.’”

Affleck did go on to star in Man About Town, which was ultimately produced by Sunlight Productions and released directly to DVD in 2007. The film followed Affleck’s Jack Giamoro, whose perfect life falls apart amid the revelation that his wife (Rebecca Romijn) is cheating on him.

Ben Affleck is breaking his silence about his split from Jennifer Lopez to clear up some rumors about what led to their divorce. Affleck, 52, spoke out in an interview with GQ published Tuesday, March 25, where he was asked about why he chose to be involved in Lopez’s 2024 documentary, The Greatest Love Story […]

When the Affleck-directed drama Argo won Best Picture at the 2013 Academy Awards, the Good Will Hunting star and Spielberg were seemingly able to bury the hatchet. 

“He beats Spielberg [for Lincoln], and he’s at the Academy Awards, and they’re hugging,” Binder recalled. “And I text him, I’m watching on the air, I go, ‘Ben, tonight you could throw Spielberg’s whole family in the pool and get away with it.’ About an hour later, the phone rings, it’s Affleck at the Academy [Awards]. He goes, ‘That made me laugh so f***in’ hard.”

Binder continued, “I love both these guys, and they’re both smarter than me, but they both kinda acted like idiots, and so did I. They were great guys, but at the same time, a**holes. They were like everybody else. Steven Spielberg is a genius and a great guy, but he can be an a**hole. And Ben Affleck is a great guy, and he can be a bigger a**hole. But by the same token, both of ’em can go, ‘Yeah, I can be an a**hole.’”

Us Weekly has reached out to Affleck and Spielberg’s reps for comment.