George Clooney has candidly shared insights into a pivotal moment early in his career when he narrowly missed out on a major film role to fellow actor Brad Pitt.
During an interview with The Times of London that was published on Saturday, the 64-year-old Hollywood veteran opened up about the experience. Clooney recalled being on the brink of securing a part that eventually went to Pitt, who is now 61.
“At that time, I was working in television, earning a decent living,” Clooney explained. “But back then, actors would often say, ‘I’m a film actor — I just happen to be doing TV.'”
He went on to recount his experience auditioning for “Thelma & Louise,” saying, “I reached the final audition for a role in ‘Thelma & Louise.’ And then, well, Brad got it.”
The 1991 film, with its star-studded cast including Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, significantly boosted Pitt’s career as he portrayed the character J.D., marking his breakthrough in cinema.
Clooney confessed, “I avoided watching ‘Thelma & Louise’ for several years because it frustrated me. That role was a springboard for Brad’s film career. Before that, he was doing sitcoms and less notable work. It was the opportunity that could have launched me!”
George Clooney is opening up about the role he lost to Brad Pitt early in their careers; pictured November 21
The 64-year-old Hollywood vet was interviewed by The Times of London for a profile published on Saturday, and he got candid about nearly booking an early 90s gig that instead went to Pitt, 61; pictured in September 2024
And the father-of-two said Pitt, whom he now counts as a friend and co-star, still teases him about the ordeal.
‘Oh yeah, he gives me s***,’ he told the outlet. ‘But, of course, when I saw it, I was, like, well it had to be that guy.’
J.D. appears shirtless in a Thelma & Louise scene, which Clooney believes made him the better pick for the part.
His Jay Kelly co-star Adam Sandler, 59, weighed in, ‘I saw that at the cinema and when Brad took his shirt off people went nuts. But it should have been you, Clooney.’
Clooney and Pitt were among two other actors who made it to the final screen tests as Grant Show and Mark Ruffalo were also considered.
‘Once I was cast, it was down to four finalists for that role,’ Davis, 69, told Graham Norton in 2022.
She recalled, ‘They said, “Would you read with them, so we could see each one?” [They all] came in, each one was handsome, they all had brown hair and were very talented. I didn’t care who it was going to be.’
The actress then noted Pitt was the last one to do the reading as she remembered, ‘He’s so charismatic and so incredibly talented that I was screwing up his audition because I forgot to say my line.
‘I’m like, “Wow, he’s really talented.” I didn’t know if they wanted my opinion or not, but I said, “Would you be interested in knowing my reaction?” They said, “Oh, please.”‘
Ultimately, she told the producers and casting director she liked ‘the blonde one.’
‘I got to the final test for a role in Thelma & Louise. And, mother****er, Brad got it,’ Clooney revealed about the 1991 film
J.D. appears shirtless in a Thelma & Louise scene, which Clooney believes made him the better pick for the part
The actors co-starred in the 2024 thriller Wolfs; pictured arriving to the Venice Film Festival in September 2024
Clooney and Pitt most recently co-starred in the 2024 thriller Wolfs.
They’ve also appeared together on the silver screen in Ocean’s Eleven, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen, and Burn After Reading.
George plays movie star Jay Kelly in his latest film, starring opposite Sandler, who portrays Jay’s dedicated manager Ron.
In the film, his character is the leading man who ‘always plays himself.’ The first trailer sees the Oscar winner question his life choices, despite being fawned over by fans and staff.
The movie was directed by Noah Baumbach, who wrote the script alongside British actress Emily Mortimer.
The official synopsis reads: ‘Two middle-aged friends rediscover their youthful spirit during a chaotic weekend reunion, facing hilarious mishaps and heartfelt moments that force them to finally grow up.’
It premiered in theaters on November 14, and the drama-comedy will hit Netflix on December 5.
