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George Clooney is preparing to take on a brand-new challenge—stepping onto the Broadway stage for the first time. The Hollywood star is set to star in a stage adaptation of Good Night, and Good Luck, the Oscar-nominated film he directed in 2005. While discussing this exciting new venture, Clooney also reflected on why he has moved away from romantic films.
In the Broadway production, the Ocean’s Eleven actor will portray legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow, a role he previously directed but didn’t play in the film. Looking back, Clooney admitted that when he first made the movie nearly two decades ago, he didn’t feel he had the weight or presence needed to take on the part himself.
“Murrow had a gravitas to him that, at 42 years old, I didn’t—I wasn’t able to pull off,” Clooney said in an interview on 60 Minutes on March 23. Now, at 63, he feels ready to step into the role on stage.
During his conversation with host Jon Wertheim, Clooney also opened up about his changing approach to acting. He acknowledged that he’s no longer interested in competing with young, up-and-coming leading men and has officially left romantic films behind. “That’s not my job. I’m not doing romantic films anymore,” he stated.
This isn’t the first time Clooney has addressed his shift away from rom-coms. Back in 2022, while promoting Ticket to Paradise, he pointed out that he hadn’t starred in a romantic comedy since One Fine Day in 1996.
Reflecting on his upcoming Broadway debut, Clooney admitted that in the past, he wasn’t sure if he was ready for the challenge. “I hadn’t done the work required to get there,” he explained. However, he now embraces the opportunity, adding, “I mean, there isn’t a single actor alive that wouldn’t have loved to have, you know, been on Broadway.”
Good Night, and Good Luck, which Clooney originally directed, was a powerful historical drama focused on American television news during the McCarthy era. The film, shot in black and white for a classic, vintage feel, featured an impressive cast including David Strathairn, Patricia Clarkson, Jeff Daniels, Robert Downey Jr., and Frank Langella. Now, nearly 20 years later, Clooney is bringing the story to life in an entirely new way—this time, under the bright lights of Broadway.