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Key points
George Clooney was "annoyed" that Brad Pitt beat him out for a star-making role in Thelma & Louise.
The Michael Clayton actor says his future Ocean's Eleven costar still "gives me s---" about their early rivalry.
Clooney "didn't watch Thelma & Louise for years," but eventually relented and realized that Pitt was the right man for the role.
Brad PittbeatGeorge Clooneyout for a role that helped launch his career — and neither actor will forget it anytime soon.
During an interview with U.K. outletThe Timesalongside hisJay Kellycostar Adam Sandler, Clooney discussedlosing a star-making roleto Pitt.
"I got to the final test for a role inThelma & Louise," he said. "And, motherf---er, Brad got it."
The role, of course, was J.D., the attractive young drifter who briefly romances Geena Davis' Thelma as she distances herself from her husband Darryl (Christopher McDonald). The role marked a turning point in Pitt's career, as he began landing key roles in films from massive Hollywood filmmakers like Robert Redford and Tony Scott shortly after its release.
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Clooney, however, remained relegated to supporting roles on TV shows like theLook Who's TalkingspinoffBaby Talkand the CBS dramaBodies of Evidencefor most of the early '90s — and he maintained resentment toward Pitt for beating him out for theThelmarole.
"I didn't watchThelma & Louisefor years," the actor admitted, "because I was annoyed. 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---!!"
TheMichael Claytonstar said that Pitt still teases him about theThelma & Louiserivalry.
"Oh yeah, he gives me s---," Clooney said before admitting that theF1star was the right person for the role. "Of course, when I saw it, I was, like, well, ithadto be that guy."
Sandler remembered witnessing Pitt's shirtless scene in the movie with an excited crowd.
"I saw that at the cinema and when Brad took his shirt off people went nuts," theHappy Gilmoreactor recalled. "But it should have been you, Clooney."
Davis previously rememberedClooney complaining about losing the part to Pitt in a 2016interviewwithGood Morning America.
"I was on a plane next to George Clooney by happenstance. We're chatting, and he says, 'You know, I hate that Brad Pitt,'" theLeague of Their Ownactress recalled. "And I said, 'No, you don't, he's your friend.' And he said, 'No, I hate him because he got that part inThelma & Louise.' And I said, 'Oh, were you interested in that part?' He said, 'Oh, couldn't you tell when I read with you?' And I said, 'Oh.'"
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Clooney and Pitt later became frequent collaborators, appearing in a multitude of projects together like 2001'sOcean's Elevenand its sequelsOcean's TwelveandOcean's Thirteen. Clooney also directed Pitt in a small role in his directorial debutConfessions of a Dangerous Mind.In addition, the two appeared together in the Coen brothers'Burn After Readingand Jon Watts' caperWolfs.
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Clooney recently said thathe'll soon star inOcean's Fourteen. Though there's no official word on which cast members will join him (besides Andy Garcia), theOut of Sightactor suggested that he hopes Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle will all come aboard.
"They're all still really dear friends, so the chance to work together would be fun," Clooneytold E! Newsin October.
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