Two-time Oscar winner George Clooney recently shared insights into his latest role, portraying a legendary Hollywood figure in the upcoming film “Jay Kelly.” Directed by Noah Baumbach, the comedy-drama delves into the life of an aging superstar, Jay Kelly, blending humor with a thoughtful examination of the pressures and costs associated with fame.
Clooney, 64, spoke at the film’s premiere at the London Film Festival, revealing that elements of his own experiences informed the character. “There are elements certainly about the experience that I’ve had, but not so many regrets, which I think is ‘thank God’,” he remarked.
He further elaborated on his personal connection to the role, stating, “It’s personal, but I’m not as unhappy as that guy. I have a family that I love and kids who I think still love me. They’re eight, there’s time to screw it up. And I have friends that I don’t pay.”
Baumbach, known for films like “Marriage Story” and “White Noise,” co-wrote the screenplay with Emily Mortimer. In “Jay Kelly,” the titular character embarks on a European journey with his entourage, prompting reflections on his life and career. The film also features Laura Dern as his publicist Liz and Adam Sandler as his steadfast manager Ron. Sandler commented on the sacrifices involved in filmmaking, noting, “You see somebody who, when they make a movie, it takes a lot of time away from your family. I’ve always tried to bring family around as much as possible. And like anyone who works for a living, you’re away from some stuff you wish you weren’t missing. It’s dealing with that pain and finding out the best balance.”
Baumbach described the film as a way to explore universal themes: “I think it was a way to tell a story about all of us in some way. An actor was a kind of stand-in for all of us who are trying to figure out the gap between how we present ourselves to the world and who we may actually be, and as we get older, also how we contend with that.”
“Jay Kelly” boasts a stellar supporting cast, including Billy Crudup, Riley Keough, Louis Partridge, Isla Fisher, and Jim Broadbent. The film is set for a limited theatrical release in November, followed by its streaming debut on Netflix on December 5.