George Clooney fires back at Quentin Tarantino, David O. Russell in Q&A with Brad Pitt

George Clooney fires back at Quentin Tarantino, David O. Russell in Q&A with Brad Pitt

As a long-time fan who’s witnessed the evolution of Hollywood royalty, I can’t help but feel like I’ve stumbled upon a golden age relic – a conversation between Clooney and Pitt, two icons of the silver screen, sharing stories, trading barbs, and reminiscing about their remarkable careers. It’s like eavesdropping on a private conversation between two old friends, and it’s every bit as captivating as you’d imagine.


Clooney and Pitt! Together again! In one interview! Taking shots and naming names!

These prominent figures joined forces for GQ’s September cover feature that hit the stands on Tuesday, preceding the upcoming buddy comedy “Wolfs” release next month. The interview has a literary feel, mirroring the essence of the film’s plot: “The characters are rival problem solvers hired for the same task. It’s a blend of humor and action, and it offers an opportunity for two individuals who often complete each other’s thoughts in real life to do so on screen once more,” as described by Zach Baron from GQ.

Indeed, these famous friends from Hollywood seemed quite comfortable with each other during the interview, frequently completing one another’s sentences as if they had no worries at all.

The seemingly mile-long Q&A is full of “rich-guy teasing,” multiple observations about aging (Clooney is now 63; Pitt is 60), talk of their 40-year fame, quarter-century friendship and endurance in Hollywood while coming up on the tail-end of the bygone studio era. It even includes a cameo by Amal Clooney and the 7-year-old Clooney twins whom they try to “protect,” a lengthy gazelle metaphor, unfettered fan-boying on the part of their interviewer and director bashing (we’ll get to that last one in a minute).

In addition, there are stylish outfits and numerous charming snapshots capturing the men in playful moments yet timelessly beautiful. Regardless of their age, the camera remains captivated by them, a fact well understood by these gentlemen.

“Clooney mentioned that our friendship has endured for quite some time,” he said. “It’s enjoyable since we occasionally touch base, which I believe is crucial. Life can become complex, and it’s essential to ensure everyone is doing well.”

“George appears to be exceptionally skilled at comprehending chess strategy and anticipating moves. I often find myself reaching out to George during difficult times,” Pitt said. “George will grasp things that others won’t, things we may not even need to discuss. There’s a sense of reassurance in that.”

Go behind the scenes of Brad Pitt and George Clooney’s GQ cover shoot in the South of France.
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— GQ Magazine (@GQMagazine) August 13, 2024

The “Ocean’s Eleven” and “Burn After Reading” co-stars’ rapport is front and center. They speak in shorthand with a few anecdotes peppered throughout. Surprisingly, or perhaps by design, there’s no mention of politics nor Clooney’s pivotal op-ed calling on President Biden to drop out of the 2024 election. Nor was there much talk of Pitt’s headline-making personal life except for a roundabout admission that he’s done “four or five dumb things, and just keep[s] going.” (Incidentally, the interview is set in the South of France at Pitt’s Miraval estate, which is at the heart of litigation with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie.

In an open conversation, I openly discussed my past encounters – not always pleasant – with directors Quentin Tarantino and David O. Russell, offering candid insights into our working relationship.

Quentin made some comments about me that left me feeling somewhat annoyed, as per Clooney. During an interview, he mentioned several film stars including you, Pitt, and others, but when someone asked about him, Tarantino responded by saying he’s not a movie star. He even went so far as to challenge my career since the new millennium, which I found quite surprising because it encompasses a significant part of my professional life.

Last summer, as reported by Deadline, the director of “Pulp Fiction” and “Inglourious Basterds,” Quentin Tarantino, made some critical remarks about George Clooney’s filmography. A video of Tarantino impersonating Clooney also went viral at the time.

After years of working in the film industry and experiencing both successes and failures, I’ve come to realize that a good director and screenplay are what truly keep a production alive. I’ve learned this lesson the hard way after being involved in some less-than-stellar films. You can’t create a great movie from a poor script; it just won’t work. However, you can certainly ruin a good one if you’re not careful. So, when someone tries to push me around or give me a tough time on set, I stand my ground and say something like, “Alright, buddy, take a hike. I don’t mind giving a little here and there, but we’ve been fortunate enough to work with some fantastic directors. Let’s not squander that opportunity.”

In a recent GQ interview, George Clooney, who has long been associated with scandals, did not receive the same leniency. Later in the conversation, without any apparent prompting, Clooney criticized director David O. Russell, whom he worked with on the 1999 film “Three Kings.”

As you age, the value of time changes significantly. Five months from your life can seem like a lot. So, it’s not just about saying, “I’ll make an excellent film like ‘Three Kings,'” even if working with David O. Russell turns out to be difficult and unpleasant for everyone involved. Frankly, it’s not worth it at this stage of my life, given the potential misery, just to produce a quality product.

Speaking as a cinephile myself, I’d say, “There’s no point in rehashing the same old stuff; it gets monotonous quickly. Both Brad and I have ventures beyond cinema that are truly fascinating.”

On Wednesday, neither Tarantino’s nor Russell’s representatives promptly provided comments in response to The Times’ requests for a statement.

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2024-08-15 00:31

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