There are certain filmmakers that have a reputation for being… difficult. That’s not always a bad thing, as a lot of these directors are able to continue to attract big-name stars and make massively popular films. Sometimes, they can be difficult because they’re so demanding, such as when David Fincher does more than 200 takes on a scene. But other times, the stories get a bit more abusive (for lack of a better word). Those are folks like David O. Russell. And when you’re someone like George Clooney, you can choose not to work for them.
Speaking to GQ, while promoting his upcoming film, “Wolfs,” George Clooney was talking about being at a specific point in life where you make choices based on experiences. The actor has been doing this type of work now for 40 years and is at a stage in his life where he is only going to work with filmmakers that he enjoys. To illustrate that point, he brought up an experience that was reportedly really bad.
“The older you get, time allotment is very different. Five months out of your life is a lot,” said Clooney. “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 in the crew’s life hell.’ It’s not worth it. Not at this point in my life. Just to have a good product.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the infamous situation Clooney references, it is one of the various stories of David O. Russell being, uh, difficult. The filmmaker is known for his outbursts on set, reportedly tearing into crew and cast. Clooney, to his credit, attempted to calm Russell during the filming of “Three Kings,” but it was still a rough situation. It was so rough, in fact, that Wikipedia has a whole section of the “Three Kings” article about “conflicts” on set.
You can’t blame Clooney for wanting to be a bit pickier with his acting jobs nowadays. He’s 63 and definitely doesn’t need the money. That liquor business he sold has easily set him up for many lifetimes. So, the actor doesn’t need to put up with those sorts of outbursts anymore.
You can see Clooney in the upcoming film, “Wolfs,” which arrives in theaters on September 20.