Steven Spielberg once declined to collaborate with Ben Affleck, and the reason, as revealed years later, had little to do with scripts or schedules.

Screenwriter and filmmaker Mike Binder recently shared the story on Stephen Baldwin’s One Bad Movie podcast, explaining how his 2006 film Man About Town was initially developed with Spielberg in mind as director, under the DreamWorks banner. At the time, Binder said Spielberg had personally encouraged him to write something for them to do together.

Binder recalled that their early conversations revolved around themes of power and personal struggle, during a period when Spielberg himself was dealing with a frightening incident involving a break-in at his home. The project began taking shape with the understanding that Spielberg would direct, before the filmmaker decided to step back from directing but still wanted the film to remain at DreamWorks, with Binder taking the helm instead.

Things changed abruptly once Binder finalised a deal with Affleck to star as a Hollywood agent. According to Binder, Spielberg reacted strongly when informed of the casting. “No. Can’t do it with him,” Spielberg reportedly said, citing not only Affleck’s recent box-office struggles and the media frenzy surrounding his relationship with Jennifer Lopez at the time, but also a personal grievance.

Binder was then told about an incident dating back to a family vacation, when Affleck was reportedly dating Spielberg’s goddaughter Gwyneth Paltrow. Spielberg alleged that his young son had been playing in a pool when Affleck entered fully clothed. After the child playfully pushed him into the water, Affleck allegedly became angry, lifted the boy and threw him back into the pool, leaving him in tears.

Binder admitted he was taken aback by the explanation. When he asked what the incident had to do with the film, Spielberg allegedly responded that he simply didn’t want to work with Affleck. “Find somebody else. Anyone but him,” Binder recalled being told.

When Binder passed the message on to Affleck’s representatives, the actor quickly connected the dots himself. Binder recounted receiving a call from Affleck, who bluntly asked whether Spielberg had mentioned “throwing his kid in the water” as the reason he’d been dropped from the film.

Despite the fallout, Binder remained keen on keeping Affleck in the lead role and informed Spielberg of his decision. The very next day, DreamWorks exited the project altogether. Man About Town was eventually picked up and released by Lionsgate, with Affleck still starring in the film.