George Clooney says he's "Glad" not to be on screen any more and hasn't acted "in a couple of years"

In the Suburbicon (HERE) part of the forum, George Clooney said:

“Thankfully, I didn’t have to be in it. I really haven’t acted in a film in a couple of years [he most recently appeared in 2016’s Money Monster and the Coens-directed Hail, Caesar!]. I’ve been a lot more focused on writing and directing as of late.”

I hadn't realised that he's been off-screen for a year already, and as the filming for those two films was in 2015-ish, it's been two years since he was last filming as an actor.  

I know he's denied 'retiring', but I wonder if that was last we'll see of him in lead roles?

I've been thinking for a while that he's pretty much done with acting. We'll probably only see him on screen when he can't get funding for a project unless he's in the film. Otherwise, I think he's going to stay behind the scenes, relax and raise his kids as much out of the spotlight as he can.

It appears George can't "open" a film at this point in his acting  career (my opinion).. last  one I recall was Ocean's 11.  Everything else since then have made money- but...........   Anyway- this may be a way of him graciously stepping down.

I'm not convinced he won't act again. I think it would depend on the role. He has said that he gets so much satisfaction and enjoyment from directing. I think that's going to be his focus from here on out but I don't think he will totally rule out acting in the future.

I really miss George on the screen. Compared to his contemporaries he has not taken on as many projects. But I don't think he looks at it that way. I don't think he feels that he has to take on any project just to stay relevant. Whether that's a good decision for his career is debatable. But he seems to pretty much stay true to his belief that he enjoys taking on smaller projects, not blockbusters, that are meaningful to him.

PigPen wrote:It appears George can't "open" a film at this point in his acting  career (my opinion)

Dunno that that's really relevant to him: with a few exceptions (Gravity, which was massive and Tomorrowland which flatlined) he hasn't been in the big films.

He seems to specialise in the small films (Money Monster, Hail Caesar, Monuments Men, The Descendants, Ides of March) which aren't designed to, or expected to make billions at the box office. He's profitable for film makers but he definitely not intending to be one of the big earners.

He said he did the big movies so that he could do the films he likes now. I agree katie he doesn't seem interested in big block buster movies. He is also more interested in being behind the camera writing and directing, I think he is doing what he really loves.

Thing is, he doesn't have to stay relevant, headline a film or even ever work again. He's financially secure enough for 10 lifetimes and so is free to do whatever makes him happy.

I'm guessing producing and directing are where he's going to be as much as possible from now on. He's said over and over that that's what he likes best. (He's also said fairly often that getting old on screen doesn't appeal to him. I'm guessing it's not a big ego boost when your status starts to change from sex symbol to elder statesman!)

Whatever he decides to do, I hope he pops up in public from time to time. If he totally went to ground I'd miss him.

LizzyNY wrote:Whatever he decides to do, I hope he pops up in public from time to time. If he totally went to ground I'd miss him.

Me too.

So glad he feels this way, and likely won't be making Liam Neeson-style terrible action movies at 65 just to stay on screen.

Me too Missa. George has always seemed pretty selective about the movie roles he chooses. He has said that he's not interested in making blockbusters as much as making films that are relevant to him and can hold up over time.

Just noticed, we keep track of all of George's future films on this forum.  The last one is Suburbicon which comes out in October. This is the first time that he's not had a list of films due in the future.

Katie - Saw on NewsBreak.com yesterday: George has signed on to narrate and executive produce (with Grant)  "Art of Political Murder". It's a 6 part political crime series "on the brink" of being ordered by Amazon.

Well! I should probably delete this post (but I won't). I replied to an email notice before I read the latest topics posted. Surprise, Surprise! Katie - you posted this news already! Did you forget or am I not the only one suffering from senior moments?

Hahaha! Tell me about it! But even so, it's 'just' as a producer and narrator. Do we think that's big enough to add to the forum?

I guess it depends on if Amazon picks it up and how much media attention the series gets. I think since amazon is relatively new to the tv market they'll probably promote it pretty heavily. George may not be on screen, but we will hear his voice - so I guess it counts.

I believe there will be some major project for him to be confirmed soon.
His production has bought several important or high-profile projects over the last couple of years and I believe there's something to be sorted out.

Sevens - You're right, his production company has been buying up projects. I don't think, though, that George has been looking for acting projects for himself. I think he's been looking for things to produce or direct. I don't think he'll act again unless the part is really special or the project won't get funded unless he's in it.

He finds the woman of his dreams....does that break my heart? NO!

He has a life makeover and gets married....does that break my heart? NO!

He changes his mind and has kids....does that break my heart? NO!

He looks me in the eye(almost)and doesn't know me...does that break my hear? NO!

He decides never to act again...Now that would break my heart.....

Good One WWHS......I had a gut reaction, just before he became a Family Man with his wife Amal, that 
George would slowly dip out of the "celebrity spotlight"
and concentrate on his writing and directing, which he has said he loves.

Not to mention his "Behind the scenes" charity/ humanitarian work, which, I understand, he shares 
with his wife.

Now that George has his two little ones to cherish and
bring up I can imagine that his life has done almost a 360* turn around.

Fatherhood has come late to George and I can imagine that his interests will change now.

I too would miss George on the screen, but wouldn't really like him to continue.....just because.

I think the only. actor/director who can get away with aging on the screen is Clint Eastwood.

Just my opinion.

Darlin Jo, there is a saying "you can take the man out of the bog, but you can't take the bog out of the man"..... I also have a gut feeling..... The best is yet to come..... Baby boomers yearn to see baby boomers.....it's supply and demand....He holds all the ace's......

WWHS -  Maybe - just maybe - being out of the spotlight the last few months while waiting for the twins to arrive has made him realize he doesn't miss all the kerfuffle that much. He can relax, let the beard grow, hang out with the kids - whatever. No pressure to return to work until/unless he wants to.

I think he will get back to work soon, but mostly behind the scenes.

I think you have a point, LizzyNY. He's been so famous and had to deal with all that attaches to being so famous for so many years that he's probably ready to let it all go and keep only the good parts of it: the money, the creative freedom and the good life.

Kind of sad for anyone who runs a Clooney fan site (ahem) as it seems we're just not going to have that much to talk about in future.

Maybe if a really great role comes up, he'll still do it (after all, once an actor, always an actor) but if not . . .

Katie -    You're making me very nervous!  We could always talk about how much we miss seeing him. And I'm sure we'll have Amal to talk about for a long time. George may "retire" but I don't think she will. And then, of course, there are the twins - they'll have to come out of hiding someday and if they're anything like George they'll be very interesting people.

Oh boy.  Not sure I can handle 13 years of Amal chat.  On the other hand, can't wait till the twins become teenagers!!!

Well, according to "Bunte" George is going to try and keep Amal pregnant for the forseeable future. If he succeeds you might not have to deal with much Amal coverage. She seems to prefer being pregnant in private.

Now there's a thought!

Happy to oblige! Now, if only George will follow suit!

Do you remember way back when George said he was not the marrying kind...and as for kids...whoa....

This is really just the same....Not only did he marry....but he married a superwoman...not only did he have a baby he had 2.....

His life seems to be built on tempting fate....

I'll never act again....Then the postman delivers THE SCRIPT....THE ONE.....

And the Oscar for Best Actor goes to.....and perchance the next year and it's 2/3 in a row like babies.....

Don't put the lid on my boy yet....he is never boring endlessly entertaining and full of surprises.....


The best is yet to come....I have a very astute gut feeling.....