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Clooney Says He Avoided Thelma & Louise for Years After Losing Breakout Role to Brad Pitt

In a new Sunday Times interview, he links the lingering sting to a 1991 casting choice he believes jump‑started Pitt’s movie stardom.

Overview

  • Clooney recounted reaching the final test for the role of J.D. in Ridley Scott’s 1991 film before it went to Brad Pitt, calling himself “annoyed” for years.
  • He said he refused to watch the movie for a long time and now concedes the part “had to be that guy,” noting Pitt still ribs him about it.
  • Geena Davis has said Pitt’s audition was so striking she accidentally flubbed her own lines and later told Scott she wanted “the blond one.”
  • Pitt has recalled auditioning repeatedly for the part, saying it came back to him about three times before he finally landed it.
  • Clooney’s major break arrived later on television with ER, and he and Pitt have since become friends and frequent collaborators in films.