The Ben Affleck Hollywood controversy has resurfaced after filmmaker Mike Binder exposed a long-standing grudge involving Steven Spielberg, a lost film opportunity, and a peculiar poolside incident. The revelations detail how complicated relationships and personal issues in Hollywood can impact careers and creative projects, with Ben Affleck and Steven Spielberg at the center of this tangled episode.
The Origins of a Contentious Project
Hollywood’s reputation for being a place of power struggles and personal vendettas became evident when Mike Binder recounted his collaboration with Steven Spielberg after the positive reception of Binder’s film The Upside of Anger. Spielberg, known for his passion for unique stories, was initially eager to work with Binder. Their partnership began enthusiastically, as Binder recalled,
“He told me, ‘We’ve got to do something together,’”
said Binder, referencing Spielberg’s drive to pursue new ventures.
Amid intense discussions about personal challenges and events facing Spielberg, Binder was inspired to write a script specifically for him. Binder described their collaborative creative process:
“We were talking about power and the struggles, and he was going through a thing where someone broke into his house—it was crazy. So I wrote this thing for him.”
This effort produced the initial screenplay for what would become Man About Town, developed over months within DreamWorks.
The Unexpected Withdrawal and Studio Politics
Despite months of intensive work, Spielberg unexpectedly backed away from the production as it neared filming. Binder shared Spielberg’s reasoning:
“He called me and said, ‘I got bad news. I’m not making this movie. [His wife] Kate [Capshaw] talked me out of it. It’s too autobiographical,’”
recounted Binder. Although Spielberg stepped aside, he still supported Binder’s vision by proposing,
“But he said, ‘You wrote a great script. I think you should direct it, and DreamWorks will make it for you.’”
This twist set the stage for Ben Affleck’s involvement. Affleck, at the time dealing with negative publicity from high-profile relationships and poorly received movies, was keen to take on the lead role. Binder remembered,
“Ben Affleck comes to my editing room and watches ‘The Upside of Anger.’ He says, ‘I want to do your next movie,’”
Binder stated. But when Binder reached out to Spielberg for approval, he was met with resistance. Spielberg stated,
“No, can’t do it with him. We just bombed with a movie with him. He’s got that whole J.Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him.”
The Poolside Incident: Personal History Surfaces
Binder revealed that Spielberg had a personal objection to Affleck’s involvement, rooted in a story from years earlier. Spielberg reportedly explained,
“He goes, ‘One time he was going with my goddaughter Gwyneth [Paltrow], and we all went on a trip to Spain. My son was a little boy playing in the pool. Ben came in fully dressed, and my son pushed him in. Ben got really mad, came out, picked up my son, and threw him back in—and made my son cry,’”
recalled Binder, adding Spielberg’s reluctance:
“‘I just don’t like to work with him. Plus, his last two movies bombed. He’s cold as hell.’”
Affleck, sensing something amiss, later questioned Binder, seeking clarity on his exclusion:
“Ben calls me up and says, ‘Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that why I’m not on your movie?’”
Project Fallout and Aftermath
Despite this tense history, Spielberg eventually relented and gave Binder the green light to move forward with Ben Affleck for Man About Town. However, relief was brief. DreamWorks soon withdrew its support entirely. Binder believed this move was suspicious and possibly motivated by Spielberg’s personal objections, effectively blocking the film’s path to mainstream release. The movie was ultimately picked up by Lionsgate but saw little promotion and went largely unnoticed, with Binder himself characterizing it unfavorably.
Years Later: Oscars Encounter and Old Wounds Revisited
Time would see Ben Affleck’s fortunes change, as he achieved significant professional success with Argo, a film that notably won the Oscar and bested Spielberg’s own project, Lincoln. During the Oscars ceremony, Binder observed Spielberg embracing Affleck, a moment that suggested that the earlier discord had finally subsided.
Binder reminisced about the spectacle and later reached out to Affleck:
“I texted [Affleck], ‘Tonight you could throw Spielberg’s whole family in the pool and get away with it,’”
Binder joked. The camaraderie was evident when,
“About an hour later, the phone rings. It’s Ben from the Academy, laughing. That made me smile.”
Significance of the Hollywood Rift
This series of events involving Mike Binder, Ben Affleck, and Steven Spielberg provides a rare look into how personal dynamics and past grievances can influence Hollywood’s biggest decisions. The Ben Affleck Hollywood controversy, centered around an odd pool incident and studio politics, demonstrates how the industry’s professional relationships are often complicated by lingering emotions and reputations.
Binder’s tale also highlights the unpredictability of careers; despite setbacks and strained opportunities, figures like Affleck can rebound, with public moments – such as the Oscars – allowing former animosities to cool. As new stories emerge and old conflicts occasionally resurface, Hollywood’s penchant for dramatic behind-the-scenes narratives remains unshaken, adding intrigue to both its successes and controversies.
