Entertainment
‘Titanic’ director Steven Spielberg, Ben Affleck rift? Mike Binder shares truth
Titanic filmmaker Steven Spielberg refused to work with Ben Affleck on a film project as per Hollywood screenwriter and director Mike Binder.
Binder opened up on his recent appearance on One Bad Movie podcast about the tension between the Batman star and Spielberg.
The 67-year-old revealed the man behind Titanic had initially been interested in directing his 2006 satire Man About Town.
The film was intended to be a DreamWorks production.
But Spielberg reportedly backed out after Binder suggested Affleck for the lead role.
Binder recalled, “Steven says, ‘No. Can’t do it with him. We just bombed a movie with him, he’s got that whole J.Lo thing going on now, and I have other problems with him.'”
The Reign Over Me director mentioned professional concerns and a personal dispute dating back to a family pool party.
According to Binder, Spielberg referenced an incident in which Affleck allegedly threw Spielberg’s young son back into a pool after being pushed in himself which left the child in tears.
Spielberg reportedly told Binder he did not want to work with Affleck whom he described as “cold.”
Binder said Affleck knew the reason behind Spielberg’s refusal.
“Ben calls me up, he says, ‘Did Steven Spielberg tell you I threw his kid in the water? Is that why I’m not on your movie?’” Binder recounted.
Despite Spielberg’s withdrawal, Affleck went on to star in Man About Town, which was released in 2007 by Sunlight Productions.
The tension appeared to ease years later.
At the 2013 Academy Awards, Affleck’s Argo won Best Picture beating Spielberg’s Lincoln.
The two men were seen embracing on stage.
Binder joked to Affleck afterward, “Tonight you could throw Spielberg’s whole family in the pool and get away with it.”
Binder described both Spielberg and Affleck as ‘great guys’ but admitted that egos and misunderstandings played a role.
“Steven Spielberg is a genius and a great guy, but he can be an a**hole. And Ben Affleck is a great guy, and he can be a bigger a**hole,” he said.
Entertainment
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ prison time gets cut down again
Sean “Diddy” Combs has seen his prison release date cut down once again, with federal records now confirming he is set to leave custody earlier than previously expected.
According to the latest Federal Bureau of Prisons records, the 56-year-old rap mogul is now scheduled for release on 15 April 2028.
This new date shaves a further 10 days off his sentence, marking the second time this month his timeline has been adjusted.
Just a few weeks ago, his release date had already been brought forward from June to late April, but this latest update means the Bad Boy Records founder is now looking at a slightly shorter stay at the Fort Dix Federal Correctional Institution in New Jersey.
Combs has been serving his time at the low-security facility since late October, following a high-profile case that saw him convicted on two prostitution-related charges.
When he was originally sentenced to over four years in prison, the judge took a middle-ground approach. While prosecutors had pushed for a much longer stint of 135 months, the judge felt that was more than necessary, though he also rejected the defence’s plea for a mere 14-month sentence, arguing that wouldn’t be sufficient.
Along with his time behind bars, which includes credit for time already served, Combs faces five years of supervised release and a substantial fine of £395,000.
Before he was sent away, a visibly humbled Combs expressed deep remorse in the courtroom for what he described as “disgusting, shameful and sick” actions.
He admitted to being out of control and struggling with drug use at the time, telling the court that he had been stripped down to nothing and truly hated the person he had become.
This raw admission of being broken to his core was a far cry from the untouchable persona he held for decades as a titan of the music industry.
Despite the gravity of his crimes, some of his peers are still finding it difficult to separate his legal downfalls from his professional achievements.
Usher recently weighed in on the situation, suggesting that Combs’ legacy as a businessman and cultural trailblazer is being overshadowed by his public prosecution.
Speaking about his own positive experiences with the producer, the R&B star argued that it was hard not to recognise the “valuable contributions” Combs made for Black entrepreneurs and the way he transitioned big ideas into tangible success.
While the world’s view of the rapper has shifted drastically, his projected release in the spring of 2028 remains the firm focus for his legal team and the authorities.
Entertainment
Johnny Depp drew inspiration for own brand’s bottles from personal life
Johnny Depp has launched his own premium rum brand, and unlike many celebrity spirits ventures, this one comes with a story that goes well beyond the label.
Three Hearts Rum, founded by Depp in partnership with his longtime friend Bobby DeLeon, is a Caribbean-inspired rum with roots in a years-long friendship and a genuine connection to the islands.
Depp designed the bottle himself, drawing on his tattoos, personal philosophy and what he describes as the three great loves of his life.
The bottle is embossed with the flag of his private Bahamian island, Little Hall’s Pond Cay, and decorated with symbols lifted directly from his body art, a skull as a reminder to live fully, a lightning bolt to represent enduring friendship, the number three to signify new beginnings and three hearts for the loves of his life.
The base carries the brand’s motto: “No Fear. No Malice. No Envy.” A bracelet-style charm sits at the top.
“Rum holds the history of the islands,” Depp said in a statement.
“It’s shaped by the hands of the people who grow the cane, ferment the spirit and age it over time. Bobby and I wanted to create something that honored that tradition and the friendships that inspired it.”
The project took shape over several years, with the pair’s thinking crystallising further in the wake of hurricanes that devastated parts of the Caribbean in recent years, as they looked for ways to support and spotlight local communities.
DeLeon described the process as one built entirely on patience.
“We didn’t want to rush something into the world. This rum represents years of patience and collaboration. Our goal was to create something that respected the heritage of Caribbean rum while sharing the spirit of the friendship that started it.”
The liquid itself was produced at a distillery in the Dominican Republic, aged for five years in ex-bourbon barrels before being re-casked for a further two years in former cognac barrels, resulting in a seven-year-aged rum.
DeLeon has described the flavour profile as sticky toffee, with aromas of wood, spices, candied orange and vanilla.
The founders have made clear this is just the beginning, describing Three Hearts Rum as the first chapter in what they plan as a broader exploration of Caribbean rum traditions in the years ahead.
For Depp, who has been associated with rum on screen through Pirates of the Caribbean and The Rum Diary, it feels like a natural next act, though this time, the bottle is entirely his own.
Entertainment
Prince Harry surprises crowd by calling attendees his source of hope
Prince Harry took a moment away from the stage at the IAPP Global Summit 2026 to sit down with Joe Jones, the organisation’s Director of Research.
The candid conversation revealed a surprisingly heartfelt side of the Duke of Sussex.
When Jones posed the question, “What gives you hope?” Harry didn’t pause.
“Everybody in this room,” he replied, turning the spotlight on the privacy professionals, tech experts, and policymakers gathered in Washington, D.C.
He went on to express his gratitude, saying, “I would like to say to everybody here, thank you for what you do.”
The Duke’s appearance on Tuesday came just weeks after it was confirmed he won’t be joining his father in Washington, D.C. next month.
King Charles and Queen Camilla are scheduled for a high-profile state visit to the U.S., celebrating 250 years of American independence.
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