The actor reflects on his tumultuous experience working with the controversial director, vowing never to collaborate with him again.
George Clooney is not holding back when it comes to discussing his disdain for working with director David O. Russell. In a recent interview with GQ, Clooney, who starred in Russell's 1999 film Three Kings, made it clear that he has no intention of ever working with the director again, citing the grueling experience and the toll it took on both him and the crew.
The Troubled Set of Three Kings
Clooney’s issues with Russell began during the filming of Three Kings, a Gulf War heist film that received critical acclaim but was marred by behind-the-scenes drama. Clooney, who was eager to take on a challenging role, initially fought to star in the film. However, his enthusiasm quickly waned as tensions on set escalated.
According to Clooney, Russell's behavior was not just difficult; it was unbearable. "So it’s not just like, 'Oh, I’m going to go do a really good film, like Three Kings, and I’m going to have a miserable f--- like David O. Russell making my life hell. Making every person in the crew’s life hell,'" Clooney told GQ, reflecting on the exhausting five months he spent filming under Russell's direction.
On-Set Altercations and Lasting Resentment
The friction between Clooney and Russell became public knowledge not long after the film's release. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly during the Three Kings shoot, Clooney described Russell as "a weirdo, and he’s hard to talk to," although he initially tempered his criticism by acknowledging the uniqueness of Russell's writing.
However, by the following year, Clooney was no longer pulling punches. He revealed to The Washington Post that he had witnessed Russell assault an extra on set. When Clooney intervened, the situation escalated, and Russell allegedly head-butted him and grabbed him by the throat. This shocking account was just one of many stories that painted a picture of a volatile director who frequently lost control.
Clooney's disdain for Russell was further validated in 2004 when a video surfaced showing Russell berating actress Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees. The footage, which quickly went viral, seemed to confirm the hostile environment that Clooney had described. Reflecting on the incident, Clooney admitted to feeling "vindicated" by the public exposure of Russell's behavior.
A Legacy of Controversy
Russell's reputation for aggressive behavior has persisted over the years, with more stories emerging from various sets. In 2016, Amy Adams, who starred in Russell's American Hustle, opened up about her own difficult experience, expressing how devastated she felt by both the treatment she received and the broader culture of mistreatment on set.
Despite these controversies, Russell has continued to work in Hollywood, directing several successful films. However, for Clooney, the experience of working with Russell was enough to make him swear off any future collaborations. "It’s not worth it," Clooney said in the GQ interview. "Not at this point in my life. Just to have a good product."
Clooney's Unfiltered Perspective
Clooney's recent comments about Russell are part of a broader pattern of the actor speaking more candidly about his career and the people he has worked with. When asked about his infamous role as Batman in The Flash, Clooney quipped, “I don't think there are enough drugs in the world for me to go back" to playing the caped crusader in a full feature film again.
Clooney's willingness to be brutally honest has also extended to other Hollywood figures. In response to recent remarks by Quentin Tarantino, who criticized Clooney's career choices, the actor shot back, “Quentin said some s--- about me recently, so I’m a little irritated by him [...] I’m like, all right, dude, f--- off.”
Conclusion
As George Clooney continues to navigate his career, it's clear that he values his time and well-being more than ever. His refusal to work with David O. Russell again underscores a broader shift in Hollywood, where the tolerance for abusive behavior is dwindling, and stars like Clooney are speaking out to demand better treatment on set. For Clooney, the days of enduring a "miserable f---" for the sake of a good film are over, and he's not afraid to say so.
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