In a recent interview, George Clooney reflected on his experience missing out on the Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role, a Hollywood casting decision that not only changed his own career path but also set Pitt on the road to stardom. Clooney revealed how close he came to landing the role of J.D. in the 1991 film, and the lasting impact of Pitt ultimately being chosen.
Clooney Shares His Experience of Being Passed Over for J.D.
The conversation about early-career turning points resurfaced when Clooney, 64, spoke to The Sunday Times about making the leap from TV to film. He recounted reaching the final audition stage for J.D. in Thelma & Louise, only to have Brad Pitt take the coveted part.
“I got to the final test for a role in Thelma & Louise, and, motherf——, Brad got it,”
Clooney playfully remarked. — George Clooney, Actor
The setback lingered with Clooney, who candidly admitted,
“I didn’t watch Thelma & Louise for years because I was annoyed,”
he said.
“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—!”
— George Clooney, Actor
Over time, Clooney accepted that Pitt was right for the part, acknowledging,
“But, of course, when I saw it, I was like, ‘Well, it had to be that guy.’”
— George Clooney, Actor
Pitt and Geena Davis Look Back on ‘Thelma & Louise’ Milestones
Brad Pitt, now 61, has also addressed his journey to the role during a W Magazine interview in January 2023. The path was anything but straightforward:
“I just thought, I’m the guy for this,”
Pitt said at the time.
“I didn’t get the part at first, and then it came back around, and I didn’t get it again, and I went, ‘Huh. All right. Moving on.’ And then it came back around again … I feel like it was three times.”
— Brad Pitt, Actor
Reflecting on filming his memorable scene with Geena Davis, Pitt admitted,
“Geena [Davis] was so sweet and kind and delicate,”
he recalled.
“That love scene, I think, went on for two days of shooting. She took care of me.”
— Brad Pitt, Actor
Geena Davis, who played Thelma Dickinson and was 69 at the time, has praised Pitt’s abilities since witnessing his audition.
“I could tell when he was auditioning that he was super talented. He has done so many incredible things over the years.”
— Geena Davis, Actress
She further noted,
“He really is the ‘star’ of the moment, which is fabulous, and it is just great to see.”
— Geena Davis, Actress
A Friendship That Grew Beyond a Missed Opportunity
Although losing the part once felt like a hard blow, Clooney and Pitt’s careers soon became intertwined. They became on-screen collaborators and close friends, sharing projects like Ocean’s Eleven and its sequels. Clooney’s perspective has shifted over time, now tinging his memories of the Brad Pitt Thelma Louise role with humor and genuine appreciation for both Pitt’s talent and the serendipity of Hollywood casting choices.
The story of Clooney and Pitt, along with the insights shared by Geena Davis, continues to fascinate fans, illustrating the unpredictable nature of acting careers and the bonds formed along the way. As Hollywood looks back on iconic films like Thelma & Louise, the ripple effects of a single casting decision remain clear—altering the course of not just one, but several star-studded lives.
