George Clooney’s evolving approach to acting: A new chapter
Prioritizing time and passion
At 63, George Clooney is embracing a fresh perspective on his acting career. In a recent interview, Clooney emphasized the importance of “time allotment” when choosing projects. He explained that if he’s going to dedicate half a year to a film, it must be worth his while, both professionally and personally. Clooney’s new mantra is to work only with people who genuinely enjoy what they do.
“The older you get, time allotment is very different,” Clooney shared. “Five months out of your life is a lot. And so it’s not just like, ‘Oh, I’m going to go do a really good film, like Three Kings, and I’m going to have a miserable fuck like David O. Russell making my life hell. Making every person on the crew’s life hell.’ It’s not worth it. Not at this point in my life. Just to have a good product.”
Reflecting on past experiences
Clooney’s reflections bring to mind his tumultuous experience on the set of Three Kings, a 1999 war movie co-starring Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube. The film, set during the end of the First Gulf War, follows four American soldiers attempting a gold heist amid the conflict. The production was infamous for the on-set feud between Clooney and director David O. Russell.
The tension between Clooney and Russell has been well-documented, with Clooney recounting how Russell’s behavior created a hostile work environment. The situation escalated to the point where Clooney physically confronted Russell after the director allegedly got physical with an extra.
“Look, there came a time when I just said to him, ‘Is this going to go on forever? We’ve got to shake hands and let it go,'” Clooney recalled. “We put it behind us. And that’s great.”
New projects and collaborations
Clooney’s latest project, Wolfs, sees him starring as a professional fixer forced to collaborate with his rival, played by Brad Pitt. The film is set to premiere at the Venice Film Festival before its theatrical release and subsequent streaming on Apple TV+.
Additionally, Clooney recently completed filming for Noah Baumbach’s new movie, where he stars alongside Laura Dern and Adam Sandler. This project further exemplifies Clooney’s commitment to working with passionate and talented individuals.
A conversation with Matt Damon
Clooney also reflected on a conversation he had with Matt Damon 25 years ago, shortly after Damon won an Oscar for his breakout film. Clooney advised Damon to cherish a 10-year career at the top, as sustaining such success for longer is rare.
“I remember I talked to [Matt] Damon about this 25 years ago, when he first hit with his movie and won the Oscar,” Clooney shared. “I was like, ‘Just know that if you get a 10-year career, playing at that level, it’s an absolute jackpot.’ Nobody sustains it much longer than that. So yeah, I’m surprised that I still have the work.”
Looking ahead
Wolfs will be available for streaming on Apple TV+ starting September 27, following a one-week theatrical run beginning September 20. Clooney’s evolving approach to his career highlights the importance of passion, collaboration, and time management in the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood.
For more insights into Clooney’s thoughts and experiences, check out the full interview on GQ’s website.