![\"Steven](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_278797344-8b78.jpg\")
\n\t\tA Hollywood screenwriter has lifted the lid on an alleged feud between the pair (Picture: Ron Galella Collection)<\/p>\n
\t\t
\n\t\tA Hollywood screenwriter has lifted the lid on an alleged feud between the pair (Picture: Ron Galella Collection)<\/p>\n
Steven Spielberg<\/a> allegedly refused to work with Ben Affleck<\/a> on a movie partly because of a long-running grudge that stemmed from a holiday pool fight.<\/p>\n Hollywood screenwriter Mike Binder has claimed that Spielberg \u2018backed out\u2019 of his 2006 film Man About Town after he wanted to cast Ben Affleck in the lead role.<\/p>\n The 67-year-old said the Jaws filmmaker was initially attached to direct his movie \u2013 which was about a talent agent in Hollywood whose diary which contained client sensitive information fell into a journalist\u2019s posession.<\/p>\n However, despite changing his mind about directing, he still encouraged Binder to direct the script himself for Spielberg\u2019s DreamWorks Pictures.<\/p>\n Yet, when Affleck\u2019s name arose for the project, Binder said on the One Bad Movie<\/a> podcast<\/a>: \u2018I call Steven, Steven says: \u201cNo. Can\u2019t do it with him. We just bombed with a movie with him, he\u2019s got that whole J-Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n According to Binder, the \u2018problems\u2019 dated back to when Affleck was dating Gwyneth Paltrow<\/a>, who is Spielberg\u2019s goddaughter.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Binder claimed that Spielberg\u2019s son \u2018pushed\u2019 Affleck into a pool during a family vacation together when he was fully dressed and \u2018Ben 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\u2019.<\/p>\n When Binder asked Spielberg why he told him that story, Spielberg reportedly explained: \u2018I just don\u2019t like to work with him. Plus his last two movies bombed. Find somebody else. Anyone but him. He\u2019s cold as hell.\u2019<\/p>\n When Binder then told Affleck\u2019s agent that he couldn\u2019t cast him, the actor immediately asked him whether Spielberg told him \u2018I threw his kid in the water\u2019.<\/p>\n After Binder told him \u2018no\u2019, Affleck allegedly said: \u2018Yes he did! He told you I threw his kid in the water. That\u2019s why I\u2019m not on the movie.\u2019<\/p>\n The screenwriter explained on the podcast that he called Spielberg back saying he wanted Affleck in the film, but despite the Jurassic Park<\/a> director agreeing to it, the following day DreamWorks dropped the project.<\/p>\n \t\t \t\t Binder then went on to eventually make the film with Affleck for the independent production company Media 8 and Lionsgate, who released it straight to DVD.<\/p>\n The film, which saw Affleck\u2019s character spiral down the wrong path after his wife has an affair, also starred Jerry O\u2019Connell and Monty Python star John Cleese.<\/p>\n Binder went on to say that he saw the two Hollywood giants hugging at the 2013 Academy Awards<\/a> after Oscar won the Oscar for Best Picture for Argo, beating Spielberg\u2019s Lincoln.<\/p>\n He said: \u2018I text him, I\u2019m watching on the air, I go: \u201cBen, tonight you could throw Spielberg\u2019s whole family in the pool and get away with it\u201d.<\/p>\n \u2018About an hour later, the phone<\/a> rings, it\u2019s Affleck at the Academy\u2026 he goes: \u201cThat made me laugh so f*****g hard\u201d.\u2019<\/p>\n Metro has approached Affleck and Spielberg for comment.<\/p>\n Got a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk<\/a> entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff<\/a> page \u2013 we\u2019d love to hear from you.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"BEVERLY](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_278807040-a5a7.jpg\")
\n\t\tSteven Spielberg reportedly had a long-running grudge with Ben Affleck (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"LOS](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_278807044-abc4.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe feud is said to have stemmed from when Spielberg\u2019s son pushed Affleck in the pool on a family holiday together (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"LAS](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_275224558-1314.jpg\")
\n\t\tAffleck reportedly made Spielberg\u2019s son \u2018cry\u2019 on the family holiday (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n![\"HOLLYWOOD,](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/SEI_278797328-c81a.jpg\")
\n\t\tThe two Hollywood giants reunited at the 2013 Oscars when Affleck won an Oscar for Argo (Picture: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
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