David O. Russell doesn’t have a perfect track record when it comes to dealing with people, and he certainly isn’t known as a people pleaser. Over the years, many Hollywood actors have spoken out about their experiences with the director, and George Clooney is no exception. When the two worked together on Three Kings, Clooney described the experience as “truly, without exception, the worst experience of my life.” Here’s why.
George Clooney’s Experience Working with David O. Russell
Considering David O. Russell‘s track record, the director, as he often does, managed to rub George Clooney the wrong way too. There were some instances on set that were truly unbearable for both of them, as well as for those around them in the crew, but there was one occasion where things went a bit too far. In an interview with Playboy magazine (via Vulture) back in the day, Clooney revealed,
“I was trying to make things work, so I went over and put my arm around him. I said, ‘David, it’s a big day. But you can’t shove, push or humiliate people who aren’t allowed to defend themselves,’–He turned on me and said, ‘Why don’t you just worry about your f–ked-up act? You’re being a d–k. You want to hit me? You want to hit me? Come on, pu–y, hit me.’”
Without a doubt, things only escalated from there, he further continued,
“I’m looking at him like he’s out of his mind. Then he started banging me on the head with his head. He goes, ‘Hit me, you pu–y. Hit me.’ Then he got me by the throat, and I went nuts. I had him by the throat. I was going to kill him. Kill him. Finally, he apologized, but I walked away.”
Thus, this ultimately led him to deem his experience working with the Oscar-winning director as “truly, without exception, the worst experience of my life.” And the two haven’t collaborated since. Despite the film being considered a masterpiece by many, the strained relationship between George Clooney and David O. Russell prevented any future projects together.
George Clooney’s Initial Impression of David O. Russell
Although Clooney was aware that it was going to be tough for him, he didn’t jump headfirst into the collaboration totally unaware and without gathering information. In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed his initial impression of the director. He said,
”He’s a weirdo, and he’s hard to talk to,–but that’s what makes his writing unique and interesting. David’s always in the moment, but it’s not always going to be the moment you’re in…. He has this way of staring at you, and I always feel like saying ‘Didn’t your mother ever tell you that was impolite?”’
It’s undeniable that significant differences existed between them, yet despite this, Clooney didn’t overlook or fail to appreciate the director’s talent.
Despite their clashes, Clooney acknowledged the director’s creative abilities and acknowledged Russell’s unique vision. In the aforementioned Playboy interview, he stated,
“Will I work with David ever again? Absolutely not. Never. Do I think he’s tremendously talented and do I think he should be nominated for Oscars? Yeah.”
However, George Clooney wasn’t the only one, the list of those who have had issues with David O. Russell includes Lily Tomlin, Amy Adams, and many others, including staff on sets. Despite the director’s undeniable talents, the numerous controversies surrounding him have tarnished his reputation in the industry.
