The Pool Party Spat That Allegedly Made Spielberg Refuse to Work With Ben Affleck

A planned collaboration between Hollywood titansSteven Spielberg andBen Affleck was allegedly derailed by an awkward pool party incident years earlier. DirectorMike Binder recently claimed on a podcast that a falling-out occurred in the1990s after an uncomfortable encounter involving one of Spielberg's children and the actor.

The Film That Never Was

According toBinder, speaking on the 'One Bad Movie' podcast uploaded toYouTube onDecember 17, the feud originated during the development of his2005 film, 'Man About Town.' Initially, Spielberg had expressed strong interest in directing the project himself, with part of the script even inspired by a real-life home invasion scare at Spielberg's house. "[Steven] said, ‘We gotta do something together. I want you to write something for me,’” Binder recalled.

"He Made My Son Cry": The Pool Incident

Spielberg eventually stepped back from directing but agreed to produce through his studio, DreamWorks. Binder then took over as director and castAffleck in the lead role. However, upon hearing the news, Spielberg allegedly withdrew from the project entirely. Binder claims Spielberg told him, "No. Can’t do it with him."

Spielberg reportedly cited Affleck's recent box-office flop 'Gigli' ({2003) and his high-profile "J. Lo thing" as concerns. But Binder suggested the real issue was a personal one, stemming from when Affleck was dating Spielberg’s goddaughter,Gwyneth Paltrow.

Spielberg allegedly explained the incident: "My son was a little boy, he was playing in the pool, and he got out of the pool, and Ben came in fully dressed, and my son pushed Ben into the pool. And Ben 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."

Oscar 'Revenge' and Public Reaction

When Binder relayed the decision, Affleck reportedly knew the reason immediately, calling Binder and asking, "Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water?" As the story has gone public, many social media users have sided with Affleck, criticizing Spielberg's handling of the situation. One user commented, "If I had shoved a fully-clothed person into a pool... my father would have tipped the guy and thank him for teaching me some manners."

Ultimately, 'Man About Town' was made with Affleck, produced by Lionsgate. Years later, a moment of poetic justice allegedly occurred at the2013 Oscars, when Affleck’s film 'Argo' won Best Picture over Spielberg’s 'Lincoln.' Binder said he immediately texted Affleck: "Tonight you could throw Spielberg's whole family in the pool and get away with it."