George Clooney Opens Up About His Feud with Three Kings Director David O. Russell

As a dedicated fan who has grown up admiring the cinematic prowess of both George Clooney and David O. Russell, I must say that the tales of their tumultuous working relationship leave me both intrigued and saddened.


George Clooney doesn’t hold positive recollections about filmmaker David O. Russell, having collaborated with him on the successful 1999 movie “Three Kings,” where he shared the screen with Mark Wahlberg and Ice Cube.

Looking back on my four decades in Tinseltown, I’ve learned to be choosy about the films I take on, a lesson born from some hard-earned experiences. In an open conversation with GQ UK, I let loose about my creative differences with the director of Three Kings. At 63, I don’t hold back when it comes to sharing my thoughts on the man, David O. Russell, who at 65, and I couldn’t have been more opposite in our approach to filmmaking. The toll it took on me, the cast, and the crew, was immense as we endured a living nightmare in the name of creating a great movie, but in hindsight, I can honestly say it was quite miserable.

As you age, the value of time significantly changes. Five months from your life feels substantial, so it’s not a light decision to take on a challenging film project like ‘Three Kings’. The actor clarified that working with David O. Russell, known for his intense directing style, could lead to a difficult experience, not only for himself but for everyone involved in the production crew as well. He shared this perspective on Tuesday, August 13.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share a fascinating tidbit about the making of “The Silver Linings Playbook.” It seems that the director, from day one, was known to have let his passion boil over, often vocalizing his frustrations “all day, every day” towards the cast and crew, as Clooney once recounted in Vulture. The tension between him and Russell escalated on set, leading to physical altercations after Russell tried to step in when the director publicly embarrassed an extra.

The actor-filmmaker, who is set to release the new film, Wolfs, by Jon Watts next month, said the nightmare was totally “not worth it. Not at this point in my life. Just to have a good product.” Clooney and Brad Pitt star in the upcoming film by Watts, scheduled to premiere on September 27. 

The movie titled “Three Kings,” led by up-and-coming actor Russell, boasted an impressive ensemble cast and received widespread praise for its compelling portrayal of the Gulf War, set against a skillfully crafted narrative. Co-stars included Cliff Curtis, Judy Greer, Spike Jonze, and Jamie Kennedy in this film.

Although it’s unlikely that a project with both George Clooney and Russell will happen shortly, the director has had disagreements with others as well.

Back in April 2003, finding myself caught up in a professional predicament, I unfortunately found myself in a heated altercation with the esteemed filmmaker, Christopher Nolan, at a Hollywood gathering. The incident stemmed from a mix-up regarding roles, as Jude Law had reportedly agreed to work with Nolan on a project, while I had been hoping for his support on I Heart Huckabees.

1. At the party, Russell physically confronted Nolan by grabbing him in a headlock and forcing him to release Law. This incident sparked a heated argument. Later on, footage from the Huckabees set emerged, showing Lily Tomlin crying and Russell yelling at her while knocking items off the desk. This footage garnered attention from the media months after the initial incident.

In addition to episodes of aggressive and irrational conduct, Russell has been associated with multiple instances of sexual misconduct. It has been claimed that she forcibly touched Mark Wahlberg’s private areas during the filming of Huckabee, and made inappropriate contact with other actresses on set. Furthermore, her niece, Nicole Peloquin, then 19 years old, reported an incident where Russell allegedly groped her at a Florida gym in December 2011, leading to a police report being filed.

Despite his past blemishes, Russell manages to secure roles within the movie business, with him currently involved in the production of a Linda Ronstadt biopic featuring Selena Gomez. His 2022 film, Amsterdam, attracted an illustrious ensemble cast including Margot Robbie, Christian Bale, and John David Washington, as reported by Variety.

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2024-08-14 15:07