The Shocking Reason Steven Spielberg Refused to Work with Ben Affleck

Writer and director Mike Binder recently shared a surprising story about why Steven Spielberg never wanted to work with Ben Affleck.

Binder discussed the story on the One Bad Movie podcast, revealing events behind his 2005 film Man About Town, which was originally planned at DreamWorks.

Binder had chosen Affleck as the lead for the film and was confident about the casting. He even showed Affleck the film Upside of Anger in the editing room. Affleck loved it and agreed to work together, shaking hands to seal the deal. Binder thought the casting was finalized—until he spoke with Spielberg.

According to Binder, Spielberg immediately rejected Affleck for the role. At first, it seemed like a typical studio concern. Affleck had recently experienced a few box office disappointments and was still in the midst of intense tabloid attention during his early Bennifer era. DreamWorks, being a prestige-focused studio, might have seen the timing as risky.

However, Spielberg’s real reason was far more personal. Binder explained that the director told him a story from the 1990s, when Affleck was dating Spielberg’s goddaughter, Gwyneth Paltrow. During a family trip to Spain, Spielberg’s young son pushed Affleck into a swimming pool while fully dressed. Affleck, frustrated, picked up the child and tossed him back in, which made Spielberg’s son cry.

Binder recalled thinking, “What does this have to do with casting a movie in 2005?” Spielberg’s answer was simple: “I just do not like to work with him.” He told Binder to find someone else and said anyone other than Affleck would be fine.

Binder reached out to Affleck’s agent to explain the situation, and Affleck called Binder directly. Affleck reportedly guessed the reason immediately and asked, “Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? That is why I am not on the movie.”

Binder tried to convince Spielberg again, and surprisingly, Spielberg relented, allowing Affleck to be cast. For a moment, the project seemed back on track. But the next morning, Binder learned that DreamWorks had dropped the entire film.

Eventually, Man About Town moved forward as an independent production with Affleck in the lead, but Spielberg had no involvement. Nearly twenty years later, Spielberg and Affleck have still not collaborated.

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