George Clooney Says He’s Done with Romantic Movies as He’s “Not Trying To Compete with 25-Year-Old Leading Men”
The face of romantic movies is done! George Clooney has decided to leave romantic comedies behind. At 63, the actor shared his thoughts during an interview on “60 Minutes” while promoting his new Broadway play, “Good Night, and Good Luck.”
He made it clear that he’s done with romance on the big screen. “Look, I’m 63 years old. I’m not trying to compete with 25-year-old leading men,” Clooney said. “That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore.“
Clooney’s career has been packed with memorable roles, including plenty of romantic leads. He charmed audiences in films like “One Fine Day” in 1996 with Michelle Pfeiffer and “Intolerable Cruelty” in 2003 alongside Catherine Zeta-Jones. His most recent romantic comedy, “Ticket to Paradise,” came out in 2022 and paired him with Julia Roberts.
Now, Clooney is shifting gears. His Broadway debut in “Good Night, and Good Luck” marks a new chapter. The play, which began previews on March 12 and opens officially on April 3, adapts his 2005 film about journalist Edward R. Murrow’s stand against McCarthyism.
Clooney co-wrote both versions and directed the movie, but this time he’s stepping into the lead role of Murrow on stage. Reflecting on this move, he admitted it’s a challenge at his age. “I don’t know that I could’ve,” he said about doing Broadway earlier. “I didn’t do the work required to get there.”
Still, he finds it rewarding. “There isn’t a single actor alive that wouldn’t have loved to have been on Broadway,” Clooney said. “So that’s the fun of it. It’s trickier the older you get. But why not?” He even joked about keeping his wife, Amal, far from the stage: “I’m putting my wife in the very, very, very back.“
The actor’s days as a romantic lead may be over, but his past shines bright. During the “60 Minutes” chat, host Jon Wertheim brought up Clooney’s “Sexiest Man of the Year phase” in the early 2000s, a peak time for his career.
Clooney agreed, saying it “was a big time” for him. Films like “Out of Sight” and the “Ocean’s” series cemented his status as a Hollywood star. Yet, he’s ready to let younger actors take the spotlight in romance while he explores new paths.
You can watch the whole interview here:
Does George Clooney’s choice to step away from romantic comedies makes sense? At 63, he’s earned the right to pick roles that fit where he’s at in life. It’s refreshing to see someone embrace change instead of clinging to the past. His move to Broadway shows he’s still eager to grow, even if it’s harder now.
What do you think about Clooney leaving rom-coms behind? Are you excited to see him on stage, or do you wish he’d do one more romance flick? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
