George Clooney, known for his impressive acting career and multiple Academy Award wins, has a special place in his heart for Fantastic Mr. Fox, his first collaboration with director Wes Anderson and a celebrated entry among Wes Anderson movies. Clooney voiced the titular character in the 2009 stop-motion adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved 1970 novel, where a clever fox organizes heists with his family and friends against three determined farmers to bring food to their community.
Alongside writer Noah Baumbach, Anderson crafted a unique film that stands out not only for its whimsical storytelling but also its distinctive approach to production. Fantastic Mr. Fox marked one of Clooney’s rare ventures into voice acting. While he previously lent his voice to cameo roles in South Park and its feature film, his main voice performances after Fantastic Mr. Fox include John Krasinski’s film IF, where he voices the astronaut imaginary friend Spaceman, and narrating Paul Newman’s role in The Last Movie Stars docuseries on HBO Max.
A Unique Experience on Set: Bringing Mr. Fox to Life Outside the Studio
During an interview with Ash Crossan for ScreenRant about his dramatic film Jay Kelly, Clooney shared his thoughts on what makes Fantastic Mr. Fox unique among his projects. He emphasized the unusual production process, saying it was
“so exciting to do because it was done in such an unorthodox way,”
— George Clooney, Actor. Unlike typical animated movies that confine cast members to sound booths, the cast performed together in a genuine farm environment, interacting directly while staying in character. Clooney highlighted this point by explaining,
“we weren’t in a studio doing voiceovers.”
— George Clooney, Actor.
On location, the actors physically acted out their scenes, adding a layer of authenticity to their performances. Clooney fondly reminisced about acting out a scene as Mr. Fox walking into a cave and calling out with an echoed “Hello…”, noting that he provided the echo himself. This method contributed to what Clooney described as a granular and immersive filmmaking process, something he called “a beautiful experience” that left a lasting impression on him.
Fantastic Mr. Fox’s Place in Clooney’s and Anderson’s Careers
Despite the memorable partnership on Fantastic Mr. Fox, George Clooney has not yet reunited with Wes Anderson on another film. This is particularly notable because Clooney is known for collaborating multiple times with directors and fellow actors across various projects. In contrast, Anderson often brings back recurring stars such as Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson. Wilson notably co-wrote Anderson’s debut film, Bottle Rocket, setting the stage for many future collaborations.
Since 2009, Clooney has stayed extremely busy, directing and starring in a diverse range of projects like The Midnight Sky for Netflix, The Tender Bar with Ben Affleck, and the upcoming The Boys in the Boat film. His rare voice roles, however, make Fantastic Mr. Fox an especially unique highlight in his filmography. Meanwhile, Anderson has continued growing his filmography, directing seven more movies and releasing four short films based on Roald Dahl’s stories for Netflix, often reuniting with actors from earlier collaborations such as Jeff Goldblum and Tony Revolori.
The Memorable Cast of Fantastic Mr. Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox boasted a strong ensemble led by Clooney as Mr. Fox and Meryl Streep as Mrs. Fox, with supporting roles bringing together top talent from Anderson’s regular group of actors. The production gathered everyone on a farm, building camaraderie that translated into the film’s lively energy and memorable performances. Clooney praised the experience of working so closely with the rest of the cast in such an innovative way, which set this project apart from more traditional animated films.
Looking Ahead: Hope for a Future Clooney-Anderson Collaboration
Despite busy schedules on both sides—Clooney juggling directing, acting, and producing, while Anderson continues to develop new projects—the possibility of a future partnership remains. As Anderson’s recent films have brought back familiar faces after long periods, and Clooney expands his slate with titles like Ocean’s 14, enthusiastic fans hope to see the two reunite, possibly in a Fantastic Mr. Fox follow-up or another inventive collaboration. Their combined creative energy left a mark on animated storytelling and continues to spark anticipation among movie enthusiasts.
Fantastic Mr. Fox remains a defining entry among Wes Anderson movies, cherished by Clooney for its unconventional process, and by audiences for its charm, wit, and style.
