George Clooney Opens Up About Long-standing Resentment After Losing ‘Thelma & Louise’ Role to Brad Pitt

George Clooney Opens Up About Long-standing Resentment After Losing ‘Thelma & Louise’ Role to Brad Pitt

George Clooney recently shared insights into a significant moment in his early career—losing a crucial role to Brad Pitt in the iconic film ‘Thelma & Louise.’ During an enlightening interview with The Times, Clooney, now 64, shed light on the emotions he experienced when he narrowly missed out on portraying J.D., the charming drifter brought to life by Pitt in the 1991 classic.

Clooney candidly reflected on his feelings about the audition process, stating, “I got to the final test for a role in ‘Thelma & Louise.’ And, motherf—–, Brad got it.” This pivotal role paved the way for Pitt’s rise to stardom, while Clooney was still predominantly recognized for his television work at that time.

The Impact of ‘Thelma & Louise’

In ‘Thelma & Louise,’ audiences were introduced to Thelma Dickinson, played by Geena Davis, and Louise Sawyer, portrayed by Susan Sarandon. The two characters first encounter J.D. at a roadside motel after committing a crime, leading to a series of unexpected events that culminate in the film’s powerful conclusion. Clooney’s acknowledgment of this context highlights the lasting influence of the film on both their careers.

After its release, ‘Thelma & Louise’ achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success. This was largely due to J.D.’s role, which became synonymous with Pitt’s ascent in Hollywood. In contrast, Clooney transitioned to a household name a few years later, thanks to his portrayal of Dr. Doug Ross in the popular series ‘ER.’

Feeling Resentful for Years

Despite finding success later on, Clooney admitted that he harbored feelings of resentment for many years following Pitt’s casting. He expressed his frustration during the interview, reflecting on how much that role could have impacted his early career: “I was in TV. I was making a good living, but back then actors would say, ‘Well, I’m a film actor — I just happen to be doing TV.'”

“I didn’t watch ‘Thelma & Louise’ for years, because I was annoyed,” Clooney disclosed. He further explained, “The part launched his career in film. He was doing sitcoms and crap before, so when it was the thing that could’ve launched me? F—!!” His honesty about these feelings reveals much about the competitive pathways in Hollywood.

Forging a Friendship

Eventually, Clooney and Pitt’s relationship evolved from rivalry to friendship. They became collaborators on celebrated projects, including ‘Ocean’s Eleven,’ its sequels ‘Ocean’s Twelve’ and ‘Ocean’s Thirteen,’ as well as ‘Burn After Reading’ and the anticipated thriller ‘Wolfs,’ set for release in 2024.

During the interview, Clooney remarked that Pitt still teases him about losing the role. Yet, he has come to appreciate that Pitt was indeed the right choice for J.D.: “Oh yeah, he gives me s—. Of course, when I saw it, I was like, well, it ‘had’ to be that guy.” This camaraderie underscores the complexity of their relationship and the professional respect they share.

Adam Sandler Weighs In

Joining Clooney in the discussion was Adam Sandler, who is also co-starring with Clooney in the upcoming film ‘Jay Kelly.’ Sandler humorously mentioned the casting decision: “I saw that at the cinema and when Brad took his shirt off, people went nuts. But it should have been you, Clooney.”

This light-hearted banter among actors highlights how competitive nature sometimes transitions into friendly rapport in Hollywood.

A Glimpse Into the Audition Process

In a 2022 appearance on ‘The Graham Norton Show,’ Geena Davis reminisced about Pitt’s audition for ‘Thelma & Louise.’ She recalled, “Once I was cast, it was down to four finalists for that role. They said, ‘Would you read with them so we could see what you’re like?’ Each one came in, each one was very handsome… but then the fourth one who came in was Brad Pitt.”

Davis described being completely captivated by Pitt’s charm and talent, admitting, “I was screwing up his audition because I forgot to say my line. I’m just like, ‘Wow, he’s really talented.'” This moment reveals just how impactful Pitt’s presence was during the auditions.

Memorable Encounters and Casting Decisions

Davis also shared a humorous memory from a flight, where she sat next to Clooney and conversed about their auditions. Clooney expressed disdain, saying, “You know I hate Brad Pitt,” to which she countered, “No you don’t. He’s like a really good friend of yours.” Clooney responded, “No, I hate him because he got the part.” This exchange exemplifies the friendly competitiveness often found among actors.

Reflecting on the audition, Davis described how the casting team sought input on who should play J.D. and ultimately decided on “the blonde one.”

The Legacy of ‘Thelma & Louise’

In a 2023 interview with W magazine, Pitt himself acknowledged the importance of ‘Thelma & Louise’ in his career, labeling it his