Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role remains a point of friendly conflict between Pitt and George Clooney, with Clooney openly admitting his frustration over missing out on the opportunity that changed the course of Pitt’s Hollywood journey. During a conversation with The Times in the UK, with Adam Sandler sitting alongside, Clooney spoke candidly about losing the coveted role in Ridley Scott‘s influential film.
Clooney revealed how close he came to landing the role that ultimately went to Brad Pitt, which dramatically shifted both actors’ futures.
“I got to the final test for a role in Thelma & Louise,”
he said, explaining the disappointment he felt when Pitt secured the part of J.D., the charming drifter who has a memorable fling with Geena Davis’s Thelma. This character became a turning point for Pitt, soon leading to significant roles working with top Hollywood filmmakers like Robert Redford and Tony Scott after the movie’s release.
Clooney’s Lingering Resentment and Eventual Acceptance
While Pitt moved into starring film roles, Clooney spent the early 1990s working in television, including the Look Who’s Talking offshoot Baby Talk and the CBS series Bodies of Evidence. Clooney admitted that missing out on J.D. left him resentful for years and he purposely avoided watching the film.
“I didn’t watch Thelma & Louise for years,”
the actor confessed, adding,
“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—!!”
Clooney also shared that Pitt has never let him forget about their early rivalry over the role.
“Oh yeah, he gives me s—,”
the Michael Clayton star recounted, but he admitted that Pitt truly was suited for the part, stating,
“Of course, when I saw it, I was, like, well, it had to be that guy.”
The Enduring Impact on Both Actors
The pop culture significance of Pitt’s performance was also highlighted by Adam Sandler, who reminisced about the audience’s enthusiastic reaction to one of the film’s most famous scenes.
“I saw that at the cinema and when Brad took his shirt off people went nuts,”
Sandler recalled, then turned to Clooney and said,
“But it should have been you, Clooney.”
Memories from Geena Davis and Mutual Respect
Geena Davis, who starred opposite Pitt in Thelma & Louise, also spoke about Clooney’s disappointment in a 2016 Good Morning America interview. She described a coincidental flight encounter with Clooney, recalling,
“I was on a plane next to George Clooney by happenstance. We’re chatting, and he says, ‘You know, I hate that Brad Pitt,’”
she continued,
“And I said, ‘No, you don’t, he’s your friend.’ And he said, ‘No, I hate him because he got that part in Thelma & 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.’”
Longtime Collaboration Despite Early Rivalry
Despite their rocky early competition, Clooney and Pitt became prominent collaborators in the following decades. Together, they starred in the popular Ocean’s Eleven franchise, working alongside Matt Damon, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle across multiple sequels. Clooney also directed Pitt in the film Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and shared the screen with him in the Coen brothers’ Burn After Reading and Jon Watts’ upcoming project Wolfs.
Looking Ahead to Future Projects
The professional bond and friendship between Clooney and Pitt appear to have endured, with Clooney recently hinting at a new installment in their collaborative journey. In an October conversation with E! News, Clooney discussed the prospect of Ocean’s Fourteen and whether some of the franchise’s major stars, including Pitt, might return:
“They’re all still really dear friends, so the chance to work together would be fun,”
he said, expressing enthusiasm for future reunions with Pitt, Matt Damon, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle.
The Lasting Impact of a Star-Making Role
The story of Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role highlights the defining impact a single opportunity can have in Hollywood. While Clooney’s initial disappointment created lingering tension and friendly ribbing between the two, the longstanding friendship and professional collaborations between Clooney and Pitt have become a hallmark of their careers. As both actors continue to evolve within the industry, their shared history serves as a reminder of how pivotal roles can shape not only careers, but lifelong connections among major Hollywood figures.
