George Clooney stars in ‘Jay Kelly’.
Opening in theaters on November 14th earlier than premiering on Netflix December fifth is the brand new comedy-drama ‘Jay Kelly’ from director Noah Baumbach (‘Marriage Story’), which stars George Clooney (‘Michael Clayton’), Adam Sandler (‘Uncut Gems’) and Laura Dern (‘Star Wars: The Final Jedi’).
Moviefone not too long ago had the pleasure of sitting down in-person with Oscar winner George Clooney to speak about his work on ‘Jay Kelly’, why he signed on to the undertaking earlier than studying the script, if he might relate to the character, why he wished to work with Adam Sandler, and what he discovered from collaborating with director Noah Baumbach.
Associated Article: Director George Clooney and Joel Edgerton Discuss ‘The Boys within the Boat’
George Clooney as Jay Kelly in ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.
Moviefone: To start with, I heard that you simply signed on to this undertaking earlier than studying the script since you had been so excited to work with Adam Sandler and director Noah Baumbach. Are you able to speak about that, and have you ever ever completed that earlier than?
George Clooney: Yeah. I obtained a name, I used to be doing ‘Out of Sight’, and I obtained a name from the Coenbrothers. They mentioned, “We’ll ship you a script if you wish to do it.” I mentioned, “I will do it,” earlier than (I learn it). It was ‘O Brother, The place Artwork Thou?’ So, I’ve had a few instances. There are administrators in our enterprise that you simply need to work with, and you’d work with beneath any circumstances. I might do the identical factor with Alexander Payne if he known as me or (Steven) Soderbergh clearly, and Alfonso Cuarón, some administrators I have been very fortunate to work with. Jason Reitman is a buddy. However then I learn it, and I assumed, “Nicely, it is a actually thrilling undertaking to do.” I do know it sounds uncommon to say however there aren’t that many nice scripts. There aren’t that many nice initiatives that you simply get to be part of. While you grow old, the elements change into much less and fewer. So, to be 64 years previous and have any person deliver a script and a job like this, I simply really feel very fortunate.
George Clooney as Jay Kelly in ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.
MF: I’ve additionally heard you say that while you did learn the screenplay, you didn’t relate to your character. What did you imply by that and as an actor, is it higher to not relate to the character as a result of it offers you extra objectivity within the efficiency?
GC: Nicely, I feel you need to discover a strategy to relate. Once I see the film, I get why folks go, “Oh, there’s lots of similarity.” However after I learn it, this character, he is a man who lives with simply remorse. He lives with all this stuff, these roads he did not journey, this stuff that he missed in life. I really feel as if, for me, on the whole, though there’s at all times remorse, it would not fill my days and nights. While you get to the fork within the highway, I’ve tended to take the tougher fork. I’ve felt that, though I failed, which you’ll stay with failure, it is a lot simpler to stay with failure than it’s to stay with remorse. So, after I learn the script, it did not daybreak on me that that it could possibly be who I used to be. It simply dawned on me that I used to be involved in taking part in a man who did not take these turns.
(L to R) Adam Sandler as Ron Sukenick and George Clooney as Jay Kelly in ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.
MF: I do know that you simply’ve been buddies with Adam Sandler for a very long time, what was it prefer to lastly work with him on this movie?
GC: Nicely, Adam’s an exquisite actor. That is what typically folks overlook as a result of he does broad comedies too and does stand-up and issues. So, typically it will get misplaced in the concept he actually is an attractive actor, and we have been buddies for 30 years. I knew he’d be nice within the half, after which the minute we obtained on the set, it was straightforward. The rehearsal course of was enjoyable. There’s a certain quantity of confidence in actors, significantly of a sure age, after they’re not making an attempt to personal each scene. They’re sort of actively making an attempt to present it to the opposite individual. Adam and I felt that we had been each going, “Oh, you get that. You are taking that.” There is a kindness to that, that comes off, I feel, on display screen.
(L to R) George Clooney as Jay Kelly and director Noah Baumbach on the set of ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Peter Mountain/Netflix © 2025.
MF: Lastly, what did you be taught from watching the best way Noah Baumbach makes motion pictures that you simply may need to undertake your self the subsequent time you direct a movie?
GC: Nicely, that is an fascinating query. For probably the most half, the administrators that I’ve labored with do not rehearse. They do not consider in it. The Coen brothers do not actually rehearse, and Soderbergh would not rehearse. They sort of really feel prefer it’s all going to occur, and I’ve at all times labored that method as a director. I used to be proof against rehearsing as a result of I will work no matter method the director needs. I feel rehearsal is an fascinating factor, significantly on a movie that is so deeply designed into performances. So, I feel rehearsal was an fascinating factor to look at and to concentrate to, and possibly one thing that may be extra utilized as time goes on.
‘Jay Kelly’ opens in theaters on November 14th and premieres on Netflix December fifth.
What’s the story of ‘Jay Kelly’?
The movie follows well-known film actor, Jay Kelly (George Clooney), as he embarks on a journey of self-discovery confronting each his previous and current, accompanied by his devoted supervisor Ron (Adam Sandler).
Who’s within the solid of ‘Jay Kelly’?
George Clooney as Jay Kelly in ‘Jay Kelly’. Cr. Netflix © 2025.