Filmmaker Mike Binder has revealed that director Steven Spielberg once declined to work with actor Ben Affleck on a project due to a personal incident, alongside professional concerns. The story was shared on Binder’s podcast, providing insight into a long-standing Hollywood anecdote.
According to Binder, he had originally planned the 2006 film Man About Town with Spielberg attached as director under DreamWorks. When Binder suggested casting Affleck in the lead role, Spielberg reportedly decided to step away from the project.
Binder explained that two factors influenced Spielberg’s decision. First, the director was reportedly unimpressed with Affleck’s recent box office track record at the time. Second, a personal incident involving Spielberg’s young son and Affleck years earlier during a family vacation in Spain played a role. The story goes that Affleck’s interaction with Spielberg’s son at a pool resulted in the child being upset, which Spielberg later cited as a reason for not wanting to work with the actor.
Despite Spielberg’s withdrawal, Binder went ahead with Affleck in the lead role. However, DreamWorks eventually dropped the project, and the completed film was released straight to DVD without notable box office success.
Binder also shared that years later, during the 2013 Oscars when Affleck’s Argo won Best Picture over Spielberg’s Lincoln, the two filmmakers exchanged lighthearted texts, suggesting a more amicable relationship in later years.
