A month ago, PopWatch asked "Has Clint Eastwood retired from acting?" I’d just talked to Million Dollar Baby screenwriter Paul Haggis, who said he offered Clint the lead role in his upcoming movie, In the Valley of Elah. According to Haggis, Eastwood turned down the part, explaining that he was in retirement when he agreed to get back in front of the camera for Million Dollar Baby (pictured), and, after that film’s Oscar-winning success, he was leery of trying to top himself again. Said Eastwood to Haggis: "I don’t think I can go out better, do you?"
Well, this afternoon, I had Eastwood on the phone, so I asked the man directly: Are we going to see him onscreen ever again? "I don’t know if we are," replied Eastwood, who, by the way, is a friendly and engaged phone presence. "You never say never, but right now, I’ve moved to the back of the camera, and I’ve sort of been enjoying it there. So we’ll have to wait and see on that. If I don’t do it again, it won’t break my heart, because I’ve had a good, long run, but if something good comes along down the line…" His voice trailed off for a second. "If something like Million Dollar Baby comes along again, maybe I will. It was tough to pass on [In the Valley of Elah]. I liked where Paul was headed with it, but at the same time I was doing a lot of other stuff then — Flags [of Our Fathers], Letters from Iwo Jima. It was a tough one to pass up, but by the same token, Tommy Lee Jones [who took the lead role in Elah] is terrific."
We asked him if there are a lot of scripts floating around with meaty parts for old guys. Eastwood laughed and said, "It’s not a question of that. I’m sure there are some out there. I’ve read a couple. But not enough to bring me back in front. I like the back of the camera."
After the jump, Eastwood answers a couple of questions about his next gig, directing Angelina Jolie.
You’re at work on The Changeling?
Yes. I’m preparing that right now, and we’re starting that — let’s see, we’re almost in September. When we get to September, it’d be the next month, in October.
What’s the movie about?
It’s all based around a woman — her kid is missing, and when they bring the kid back, it’s not HER kid. (laughs) And they sort of do a Gaslight-type thing on it. You remember Gaslight?
Ingrid Bergman. Great movie.
Ingrid Bergman at her loveliest. George Cukor, I believe, directed it. And it was Angela Lansbury at 18. And Charles Boyer. I remember liking it too. I always like those things where somebody screws with somebody’s brain. And that’s kind of what they do here. [It's about] how she works her way out of it. It’s a very good script, and it’s a terrific role for a woman. Angelina Jolie is gonna play her. She’s actually been interested in the project for a long time, and then she came aboard. The rest of the casting is in process. I’m starting on it now and probably gonna cast it in the next week or two.
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Alright, I just gotta let it out. Love Clint and frankly, wouldn’t care if he acts again or not…he’s doing a heck of a job as a director…now about the star of the movie AJ – why? You know, I have a theory. She moved to the A list of Hollywood actresses after she married Brad…ironic…but also, when does she have time to parent with all these movies in the pipeline?
Amazing.
Jolie was an multi-award winning actor since at least 1999. Even before her Oscar she had won 2 SAG awards among others. That was way before Brad boy came into her life. Brad may have brought more paparazzi but he didn’t add to her film career. I know he was the pretty, sexy boy with gossip addicted fangirls but she was the one taken more seriously as an actor by the industry – she was the real A-list actor.
Angelina won 3 Golden Globes (Gia, Girl Interrupted, and an HBO movie) and an Oscar (Girl, Interrupted) before the new millennium. She didn’t meet Brad (who has a G.G. himself but no Oscar) until 2004.
Folks, please see Angelina in “A Mighty Heart.” It was stupidly released in the summer where it died because it wasn’t a billion dollar fx movie. If it’s rereleased in the fall, like I hope it will be, AJ will have to get an Oscar nomination. Her performance sends chills down your spine.
I saw “A Mighty Heart” opening weekend, and was so moved I immediately devoured the memoir. Talk about a book that rips out your heart. I hope she wins some awards for her performance. (Also, I love how this post turned to Angelina.).
I am very excited to see that Clint has gone in and redone voice sessios for a new “Dirty Harry” video game. There are rumors around that a “Man with No Name” Trilogy of games is also slated with him set to do the voice work on. It looks awesome. Clint is by far a Living Legend of film.
THANK. GOD.
But the movie he’s directing next sounds really good though : ]
MR. EASTWOOD KICKS ASS AND ALWAYS WILL
HE IS THE COOLIST
JOHN WAYNE SUCKS ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
RICH
I saw AJ in two movies and loved her immensely (Orig. Sin and Mr./Mrs. Smith)….thought she had the “IT” factor, but then all the over-hyped publicity started and it was a turnoff to her for me. I’ll have to separate the personal AJ from the professional AJ. If she appears in another appealing movie (I’ll wait for a Mighty Heart to come out on vid), then I will go see her again.
Oh how I love Mr. Eastwood! I’ll give anything he does a chance. I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of performance he gets out of Ms. Jolie.
I love Clint Eastwood’s films and I wish him luck now and in the future.
Clint Eastwood is a National Treasure.
I am an Angelina jolie fan myself. Why did they release ‘A Mighty Heart’ during the summer, which is when the brainless movies come out? Here’s hoping Clint and her click on their new movie.
Eastwood is my all-time hero. Not just as a movie star, but also in the way he has pursued his goals and handled his direction in his life (based on the biographies I’ve read). No one is ever old enough to act again. It would be great to see him reprise his tough guy roles and see what angle he’d put on the character. Something like Will Munny in Unforgiven perhaps… P.S. I’m not a big J. Wayne fan but there’s no need to say something derogatory about him, just my opinion though.
Eastwood is a fantastic actor, my 2nd favorite of all time, behind John Wayne. Eastwood, as an actor, is vastly under rated. As a Director, the respect is there.
To the immature idiot who insulted John Wayne- get a clue. Wayne was incredibly under rated as an actor, something only recognized since his death. Watch The Searchers, and learn how good he was. Grow up jack ass.
Angelina Jolie, while very beautiful, is not in the same class of actress such as Streep, and I find her to be over rated as one. Still good, but let’s not get carried away here.
No offense to teh AJ FANS…I like her, I just do not think she is a top 10 actress “right now”.
I HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ENTERTAINED BY MR EASTWOOD’S ACTING. THE FIRST TIME I SAW HIM AS ROWDY YATES ON RAW HIDE, I KNEW HE WAS A WINNER. I WISH HIM WELL AND I KNOW HE HAS THE MITAS TOUCH. EVERYTHING HE TOUCHES TURNS TO GOLD!!!
i would like to see clint act again i think it should be in another dirty harry movie that would be awsome.
I wish Mr.Eastwood clear up or do another MYSTIC RIVER before he really retire. he is one of the best.
Funny, I thought it was Jennifer Aniston who vaulted into the A-list solely by becoming Mrs. Brad Pitt.
I’ve loved Clint Eastwood as an actor and director since the original broadcasts of Rawhide. He’s made many masterpieces, but Iwo Jima/Flags of Our Fathers was a master stroke.
Million Dollar Baby, need I say more?
Go ahead, Clint! Make my day!
Whether it’s acting or directing, I’m just happy Clint is still working. He’s amazing at both.
As for AJ… it will be interesting to see how this movie performs. She’s not exactly a consistent box office draw.
I shouldn’t admit this, but it’s too funny not to share: When I read, Will Clint Act Again, I thought you meant Clint Howard, Ron Howard’s brother. The really funny part is that I was interested enough to find out if Clint Howard would act again! EW – can you look into that for me?
For Louise: Clint Howard just did a very small role in Rob Zombie’s Halloween as a doctor.
i’ve injoyed clint since rawhide,i’ve seen every movie he’s done.i do wish he would make another western.
i have this great idea for another dirty harry if your interested
i have this great idea for another dirty harry if your interested