George Clooney annoyed by Brad Pitt's teasing over winning "Thelma & Louise" role

George Clooney has revealed that he was frustrated when Brad Pitt landed the role that became a career-defining moment in Thelma & Louise. Clooney, known for his work in Michael Clayton, admitted that Pitt continues to tease him about their early career rivalry.

The actor confessed that he avoided watching Thelma & Louise for years, only later acknowledging that Pitt was the perfect choice for the part. The role in question was J.D., the charming drifter who briefly romances Geena Davis character, Thelma, as she navigates her troubled marriage to Darryl (Christopher McDonald).

Securing this role catapulted Pitt into major Hollywood projects with prominent directors like Robert Redford and Tony Scott. Meanwhile, Clooney spent much of the early 1990s in supporting TV roles, including Baby Talk and Bodies of Evidence, and held onto resentment for missing out on the part.

"I didn't watch Thelma & Louise for years," Clooney admitted. "I was annoyed. That role launched his film career. I was doing sitcoms and small roles, so when the chance came that could have been minefrustrating!"

Despite the past tension, Clooney acknowledged Pitt was ultimately the right actor for the role. Of course, when I saw it, I realized he was the perfect fit, Clooney said. He also confirmed that Pitt still jokes with him about their rivalry over the casting.

Adam Sandler, Clooneys co-star in Jay Kelly, recalled seeing audiences react excitedly to Pitts shirtless scene in Thelma & Louise. I saw it in theaters, and when Brad took his shirt off, people went wild. But honestly, it should have been you, Clooney, Sandler remarked.

Geena Davis also recounted Clooneys reaction to losing the part during a 2016 interview. She remembered him telling her, "I hate that Brad Pitt got that role," to which she responded that Pitt was a friend. Clooney clarified that his frustration stemmed from missing out on the part.

Despite this rocky start, Clooney and Pitt eventually became frequent collaborators, appearing in the Oceans Eleven series, Burn After Reading, and Jon Watts Wolfs. Clooney even directed Pitt in his directorial debut, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind.

Clooney recently mentioned plans to star in Ocean's Fourteen, expressing hope that Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle might join him. Theyre all still really close friends, so the chance to work together again would be exciting, Clooney shared.

Author's Commentary: A Career Defining Moment and the Rivalry That Followed

George Clooney's recent admission about his frustration over missing out on the role of J.D. in Thelma & Louise sheds light on the early competition between him and Brad Pitt. Clooney's acknowledgment that Pitt was indeed the right fit for the role, after years of avoiding the film, offers a candid reflection on the unpredictable nature of Hollywood casting decisions. It’s clear that this missed opportunity shaped not just Clooney’s career trajectory but also their early professional rivalry.

In the early 1990s, Clooney was relegated to supporting TV roles, while Pitt's role in Thelma & Louise launched him into Hollywood stardom. For Clooney, this situation bred resentment, as he was forced to watch as Pitt soared while he was left with smaller projects. Yet, Clooney has matured in his perspective, acknowledging that the role of J.D. was a perfect match for Pitt’s charm and screen presence. This kind of self-awareness is commendable, especially when considering the long-standing rivalry that followed.

The revelation also highlights how the entertainment industry can shape the trajectories of actors' careers in ways that aren't always fair or predictable. For Clooney, his journey was slower, but it ultimately led to some of the most iconic roles in Hollywood, including Michael Clayton and the Ocean's Eleven franchise. Meanwhile, Pitt’s breakthrough in Thelma & Louise made him a household name almost overnight.

Despite their early rivalry, Clooney and Pitt have since become close collaborators, working together in several successful projects. Their shared experiences now seem to be a source of camaraderie, with Clooney even suggesting the possibility of reuniting for a future Ocean’s Fourteen film. This shift from rivalry to friendship speaks volumes about their mutual respect and the evolution of their professional relationship.

Sources:

• George Clooney says Brad Pitt still teases him over winning “Thelma & Louise” role: 'I was annoyed'