Is George Clooney (still) a movie star?

The Ocean's Eleven actor complains because Tarantino said he's not a real movie star. Can he demonstrate the opposite with Wolfs, his new film released… direct to streaming?

Wolfs has just been released on Apple TV+. Directed by Jon Watts (Clown, Cop Car, the last Spider-Man), This buddy movie relies entirely on its star duo, Brad Pitt And George Clooney. Too bad, the promise of having fun watching their reunion, more than fifteen years after the end of their heist films Ocean'sis not held (our review can be read here)… and the promotion of the film, although important – the two friends presented it out of competition at the Venice Film Festival, all smiles on the red carpet where their chemistry was clearly visible – will ultimately have mainly raised questions.

Brad Pitt makes his new partner official at the Venice Film Festival

Because if the star power of Brad Pitt seems unalterable, despite the failures that dot his CV (Babylon recently) and, more seriously, the accusations of domestic violence by his ex-wife Angelina Jolie and her children, that of George Clooney was called into question this summer.

It all started with a dig from Quentin Tarantino, who had shared with him the poster forA night in hellin 1996, claiming that Clooney was no longer a movie star. Let's rewind.

George Clooney and Brad Pitt return to action in the final trailer for Wolfs

The promotion of Wolfsbuddy movie with friends Brad Pitt and George Clooney, began in the heart of summer, via a long paper from GQ American, ideal for daydreaming on your beach towel.

Photo session of the two BFFs in old (super) beautiful mode, good-natured movie-loving conversation with a gentle summer breeze, all from Brad's castle in Provence… In the middle of the article, however, Clooney's mood darkens:

“Tarantino explained in an interview that I was not a real movie star, he even said: 'Give me a film that would prove this from the turn of the century.' Hey, ho, Quentin, I’ve spent almost my entire career in the 21st century!”

George Clooney pays Quentin Tarantino: “Fuck off!”

We wouldn't necessarily have asked the question if the person concerned hadn't brought out this forgotten statement from Tarantino, but now that we're talking about it… Is George Clooney still a movie star? A star, undoubtedly – ​​everyone instantly recognizes him on red carpets, in coffee ads and at Democratic rallies. But “cinema” ?

Over the last ten years, he has mainly devoted himself to his job as a director (for increasingly confidential films that have ended up on the platforms, The Tender Bar has They were one man) and his last real hit, Gravityis starting to date… And again, one could argue that the real stars of Gravityit was Sandra Bullock and 3D.

With its scent of vintage elegance Ocean's Eleven and its formula built exclusively on the charisma of its headliners, Wolfs was to serve as the ultimate test of his star power. Problem: this is the film that Apple TV+ chose, scalded by the poor receptions of Napoleon, Argylle And To the MoonFor put an end to the cinema release policy of his (large) in-house productions. Return to the small screen for George, therefore, thirty years after the debut ofEMERGENCIES (of which QT directed an episodeBesides). George Clooney, TV star? No one has ever disputed that.

George Clooney – Wolfs: “We are already talking about a sequel with Brad and Jon Watts”