George Clooney has reignited his long-standing feud with director David O. Russell, declaring that he has no interest in ever working with the controversial filmmaker again. In a recent interview with GQ UK alongside his “Wolfs” co-star Brad Pitt, Clooney reflected on the infamous altercation with Russell during the production of the 1999 film Three Kings and made it clear that no movie is worth enduring such a difficult working environment.
Clooney’s Stance on Working with Russell
Clooney didn’t mince words when discussing his experience with Russell, stating, “No film is worth working with a miserable fuck like David O. Russell.” This sentiment seems to have only solidified over time, as Clooney emphasized that his approach to choosing projects has evolved, particularly given the significant time commitment that filmmaking requires.
“The older you get, time allotment is very different. Five months out of your life is a lot,” Clooney said of how he selects projects now. “And so it’s not just like, ‘Oh, I’m going to go do a really good film, like “Three Kings,” and I’m going to have a miserable fuck like David O. Russell making my life hell. Making every person in the crew’s life hell.’ It’s not worth it. Not at this point in my life. Just to have a good product.”
The Infamous Three Kings Incident
The tension between Clooney and Russell reached a boiling point on the set of Three Kings, culminating in a physical altercation after Russell allegedly mistreated extras. Clooney described the production as “the worst experience of my life” in a 2000 interview with Playboy (excerpts above). Although the actor attempted to make amends with Russell years later, the relationship remains strained. Clooney recalled approaching Russell at a party, where they exchanged brief, seemingly conciliatory words, but it’s clear that the bad blood still lingers.
“I saw David a few weeks ago at a party… and I felt compelled to go over and go, ‘So, are we done?’ And he goes, ‘Please’. And I said, ‘Ok’.
“We made a really, really great film and we had a really tough time together, but it’s a case of us both getting older.
“I really do appreciate the work he continues to do, and I think he appreciates what I’m trying to do.”
George Clooney for THR
Russell’s Troubled Track Record
Clooney’s grievances with Russell are far from isolated. The director has a well-documented history of clashing with actors and crew members. One of the most notorious incidents involved actress Lily Tomlin on the set of I Heart Huckabees, where a video of Russell verbally abusing Tomlin went viral. Additionally, Margot Robbie shared during the promotion of Amsterdam that Russell’s unconventional and often grueling directing methods, such as refusing to call “cut” and extending work hours, have made him a divisive figure in Hollywood.
Clooney’s latest comments reinforce the perception of Russell as a difficult and controversial director, and it seems unlikely that the two will ever collaborate again, even on a potential Three Kings reunion.
