Titanic filmmaker Steven Spielberg refused to work with Ben Affleck on a film project, according to Hollywood screenwriter and director Mike Binder.
Binder opened up about his latest performance at A bad movie podcast about the tension between the Batman star and Spielberg.
The 67-year-old revealed the man behind it Titanic had originally been interested in directing his 2006 satire Man about town.
The film was intended to be a DreamWorks production.
But Spielberg reportedly backed out after Binder suggested Affleck for the lead role.
Binder recalled: “Steven’s like, ‘No. Can’t do it with him. We just bombed a movie with him, he’s got the whole J.Lo thing going on now, and I’ve got other issues with him’.”
The Rule over me director cited professional concerns and a personal dispute dating back to a family pool party.
According to Binder, Spielberg was referencing an incident in which Affleck allegedly threw Spielberg’s young son back into a pool after being pushed into himself, leaving the child in tears.
Spielberg reportedly told Binder that he did not want to work with Affleck, whom he described as “cold”.
Binder said Affleck knew the reason behind Spielberg’s refusal.
“Ben calls me, he says, ‘Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that why I’m not in your movie?'” Binder shared.
Despite Spielberg’s withdrawal, Affleck continued to star Man about townwhich was released in 2007 by Sunlight Productions.
The tension seemed to subside years later.
At the 2013 Academy Awards, Affleck’s Argo won Best Picture, beating Spielberg’s Lincoln.
The two men were seen embracing on stage.
Binder joked with Affleck afterward, “Tonight, you could throw Spielberg’s whole family in the pool and get away with it.”
Binder described both Spielberg and Affleck as ‘great guys’ but admitted that egos and misunderstandings played a role.
“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,” he said.
