George Clooney Opens Up About Losing a Key Role to Brad Pitt: “I Didn’t Watch the Movie for Years”

George Clooney recently opened up about a role he missed early in his career, revealing that losing it to Brad Pitt left a lasting impression.

In an interview with ScreenRant about his new film Jay Kelly, Clooney shared his memories of competing with Pitt for the role of J.D. in the 1991 classic Thelma & Louise.

“Well, I had a couple of films that I tried to get. It came down to Brad Pitt and me, and both of us were kind of struggling at the time, for Thelma & Louise. Pitt got it, and I was pissed! [Laughs] I didn’t watch the movie for years, and that was a launching pad for Brad. I remember thinking, ‘That f****…,’” Clooney said.

Over time, Clooney came to accept the decision. “And then I saw it, and I go, ‘Of course, he should have gotten it.’ There are a couple of things that got away over time, but for the right reasons. People’s careers kind of come and go; they work out when they work out. You can’t look back and go, ‘S***, I should have done that one.’” He said.

At the time, Clooney’s career included smaller roles in television, such as Bodies of Evidence, while Pitt’s role in Thelma & Louise helped him rise to fame. The film, directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri, tells the story of two friends, played by Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, on a road trip that takes unexpected turns. Brad Pitt played a supporting role, and the cast also included Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, and Christopher McDonald.

Thelma & Louise premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in May 1991 and became both a critical and commercial hit. It received six Academy Award nominations, including Best Director for Scott and Best Actress nods for Davis and Sarandon, while Khouri won Best Original Screenplay. The film has since been recognized as a landmark in feminist cinema and was preserved by the Library of Congress in 2016.

Critics praised the movie for its fresh take on the road movie genre and its strong performances. Janet Maslin of The New York Times highlighted the chemistry between Davis and Sarandon, calling their performances spirited and original. Roger Ebert also commended the film, noting that its focus on female protagonists brought a new energy to the genre.

Clooney’s story highlights the unpredictability of Hollywood careers and how timing can make all the difference. “People’s careers kind of come and go; they work out when they work out,” he said, reflecting on the experience.

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