George Clooney Remembers Being “Pissed” at Losing Classic Ridley Scott Movie Role to Brad Pitt

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As a lifelong movie fan, I always love hearing behind-the-scenes stories, and George Clooney recently shared a good one. Apparently, he was seriously upset when he lost out on a role in Thelma & Louise to Brad Pitt. He felt it could have been his big break, happening a few years before he actually became a star! It’s wild to think about, considering Thelma & Louise – that fantastic Ridley Scott film with Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis about a road trip gone wrong – could have had Clooney in the cast. It just goes to show how different things could have been!

George Clooney is currently promoting his new film, Jay Kelly, a comedy-drama directed by Noah Baumbach. The movie follows a famous actor on tour in Europe and his relationship with his manager. In an interview with Screen Rant, Clooney discussed the film’s personal connections to his own life. When asked about a role he always wished he’d played, he mentioned Thelma & Louise. However, he believes actors shouldn’t dwell on missed opportunities and the roles others have taken.

I auditioned for a couple of movies, and for Thelma & Louise, it came down to me and Brad Pitt. We were both having a hard time getting work at the time. He ended up getting the part, and I was really upset about it! [Laughs] I avoided watching the movie for years, but it ended up being a huge break for him. I definitely thought, ‘He got lucky…’

It suddenly made sense – of course he deserved that opportunity. There have been a few things that didn’t pan out over the years, but for understandable reasons. Careers naturally have ups and downs, and things happen when they’re meant to. There’s no point in dwelling on past ‘what ifs’ or regretting missed chances.

You know, rewatching Thelma & Louise the other day, I was struck again by how good Brad Pitt was as J.D. He just clicks with Thelma, and for a while, you really buy their connection on the road. It wasn’t his very first role, but it feels like a turning point for him. It definitely paved the way for the bigger stuff he did soon after – things like A River Runs Through It, the dark turn in Kalifornia, and even his early foray into the supernatural with Interview with the Vampire. It was a key role that really showcased what he could do.

George Clooney’s Career Took a Few More Years to Break Into the Hollywood Scene


Warner Bros.

Released in 1991, Thelma & Louise came out while George Clooney was still mostly known for his TV work. He had roles in shows like Sunset Beat, Roseanne, and Bodies and Evidence, with the latter giving him one of his first leading parts before landing the role that would make him famous. In 1994, everything shifted for Clooney when he began playing Dr. Doug Ross in the hugely popular ’90s drama, ER.

The TV show ER helped launch the actor’s film career, and he ultimately didn’t return to television regularly. He became a movie star, appearing in films like From Dusk Till Dawn, One Fine Day, The Peacemaker, and Out of Sight. While he also starred in Batman & Robin, it’s a film he’s not particularly fond of. Clooney quickly became a major leading man, and in Ocean’s Eleven, he demonstrated his ability to shine even alongside other stars. Interestingly, that film included Brad Pitt, the same actor he had previously felt resentment towards for getting the role in Thelma & Louise.

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2025-12-02 02:03