George Clooney has already begun to promote his film, The Ides of March, which he not only stars in, but co-wrote and directed (and produced too, I think). Clooney plays the “neophyte candidate in a Democratic presidential primary” while Ryan Gosling plays an idealistic young staffer. I LOVE LOVE the first poster (above). It’s wonderful and eye-catching and I just want to stare at it for a while. Great image. There are also some promotional images from the film below, with Gosling looking clean-cut and Clooney looking like a politician with secrets. Anyway, here are some highlights from Clooney’s press thus far:
Clooney on waiting to do the film until the nation was in the right mood: “We were in preproduction on this. We were really getting close to starting up. But I remember sitting in a restaurant with (co-writer) Grant (Heslov) when Obama won, and we both realized we couldn’t make this movie right now. Everyone was so hopeful and happy. Now, the cynicism has come back around, so it’s time.”
It’s a movie about morality, not politics: “The major issues are some of the major issues we face every day, including questions of morality. We’re not trying to be polarizing. Literally, this could have taken place in a lawyer’s office. It’s just more fun in the political arena. Republicans hate the beginning of the movie, Democrats hate the end. So we’re good.”
Feeling dirty after his 2005 Oscar campaign: “I had just come out of Oscar season, and you really do campaign, like kissing babies. By the time it’s over, you sort of feel unclean. You want to do something that makes you feel better.”
How Hollywood can help: “There is more attention on celebrity than ever — and there is a use for that besides selling products,” he said. “We can’t make policy, but we can ‘encourage’ politicians more than ever before.”
Clooney rounded out the cast with some really talented people. Jennifer Ehle plays Clooney’s wife (the candidate’s wife), Phillip Seymour Hoffman plays the campaign manager, Evan Rachel Wood is an intern, Jeffrey Wright is in there somewhere, as is Marisa Tomei. I have to admit, even though I usually find Clooney’s political films rather boring and prosaic, I want to see this just for the cast.
Poster & promotional images from the film, plus a photo of Clooney from Pacific Coast News.
This looks good! Great to see Clooney as the great actor that he is again, after all the Canalis-nonsense stories. Back to work again…
This sounds fantastic, and that poster is just excellent!
I love the top picture! Beautiful image, good concept.
This movie sounds really interesting. “Republicans will hate the beginning and Democrats will hate the end”…uh oh. I wanna see this movie just based on that statement. I truly love the poster and of course Ryan Goslings brings me the tingles so I would see it just for him.
Is this out now?!?!? This is an A++++ cast. Must see.
ETA, I see the poster says “this fall.” I was distracted by the Gosdong.
I’m sorry but Ryan Gosling looks like that kid in school with the nut allergy that eats hotdogs without the bun and cut up in pieces.
Add that to self-riotous Hollywood politics and I will def be skipping this one.
Aaaargh. I think I’m going to have to see this movie. It does sound like an awesome cast.
@Krissy LMAO that description is a riot!
I don’t know there is just something about Gosling that keeps me interested.
@Krissy, “self-riotous”? You must be a Republican!
Can someone please explain to me why Hollywood actors aren’t allowed to have political opinions? Arnold became Governor (or is that Governator) and Reagan became Governor and President. Sonny Bono became a Congressman and so did Gopher from the Love Boat. Republicans all. Or is it that only lefties can’t have political opinions?
Looking forward to this one, as with most Clooney flicks. Love the poster image, too.
Please,please remove the Bieber& pater pic ASAP, it just sullies the eyes, negating the deliciousness that is Clooney.
Many thanks!!!!
@JulieM,
Apparently Republicans are the only ones allowed to have political opinions, even if they are too dumb to know what words mean.
bosoxgirl: One of my pet peeves. If you are conservative, “Vote for me”. If you are liberal, “Shut your pie hole”.
BTW-all the Republican politicians: Lousy actors!
JulieM:
I totally agree. Don’t you know that Republicans are the only ones who love their families and their country?
Was Reagan a worse actor than he was a Governor/President? I can never decide. He was so terrible at everything.
Celebrities can “encourage politicians”?!? BAH HA HA HA HA!!! Oh, George, turns out you’re just another delusional “celebrity”. When will you learn? We like to look at you. That’s it. When you all decide to speak your own words instead of what the writers tell you to say. When you get on your soap box at whatever awards show you are patting yourselves on the back at…we turn you off. Sincerely, the public. P.S. Now just shut up and “entertain” us.
To JulieM: Of course Hollywood actors are allowed to have political opinions. Don’t be so dramatic. It’s that they think their opinions are so much more important than everyone else’s BECAUSE they are “celebrities” that’s irritating. They think they can influence your or my or any vote simply because they are…celebrities. If you vote one way or the other based solely on how your favorite “moviestar” TELLS you to vote…you don’t deserve the privilidge. Hollywood is Democratic. period. Everyone knows this. Everyone knows any “actor” who doesn’t lean that way doesn’t get much work. It’s like one big Union. You wanna work? You vote the way we tell you to. Yeah. These are the undereducated puppets we should be listening to.
I agree with a previous commenter about Clooney’s political movies although I think they are hit and miss ( loved Good Night and Good Luck but Syriana, what?). The one thing I liked about Clooney is he is smart enough to surround himself with top notch cast members. I get excited for his films because of the overall cast. Smart move Clooney.
Good Night and Good Luck was soooo amazing. I am a nerdy political junkie so I can’t wait to see this film.
And Republicans are much more likely to elect hack entertainers than Democrats. In fact I can’t think of one left wing entertainer that’s actually run for office so once again the Republicans who complain about liberal actors are hypocrites.
To most of the posters above, why all of the INTOLERANCE for Republicans? The hysteria is amusing.
Leticia – I think it’s because anti-republicanism is the one form of discrimination that’s still “acceptable” in public, particularly in an entertainment industry context. Folks can still conservative-bash without feeling like they’re being prejudicial.
Have to agree with Clooney’s comment that the constant exposure afforded celebrities these days should certainly give them license to do more than sell stuff – and everyone from Clooney to Sean Penn to Susan Sarandon all make sure they use their celebrity for political purposes. He’s right – they do have the power of influence (not just over politicians, but over their constituents). And it’s nice to see some of those hollywood dollars go toward movies that actually encourage THOUGHT, rather than brainlessness….
@ Crash
That.
Seriously.
I don’t care who you support politically as I don’t have the same high value of your opinion as you do. (Although you seem to believe that I should.)
I didn’t attack Repbulicans I just said any Republican who criticizes Liberal entertainers then in turn supports the right wing actors-turned politicians is a hypocrite EVERYONE has a right to express their opinion no matter what political party they are in.
Unbelievable. It has become so important to Americans to spread ignorant, hate-filled speech about other people’s political beliefs that they’ll take their ridiculous, intolerant generalizations to an ENTERTAINMENT website. Not all Republicans are stupid and closed-minded, just like not all Democrats are welfare-receiving bums who are trying to turn the U.S. government into a Nanny State. We are Americans first and foremost, and despite what your preferred information source claims, it it won’t kill you to respect other people’s opinions. You’re only proving yourselves to be the sheep that your respective Representatives believe you to be.
Can’t we all just collectively admire the good looks and talent of George Clooney and Ryan Gosling?
@Redicarus: Thank you for saying that.
Politics bring out the ignorance in so many people. I wish people could be respectful enough to not ruin my favorite gossip blog.
We’re all entitled to our own views, but WHY must we bash everyone else in the process?
That poster IS amazing. RG is doing an amazing job of grooming his career.
Krissy – lol. You missed the part where the kid grows up and becomes a hottie.
the real question is: will the gos be naked or semi-naked in this movie?
Wow I was sort of excited until I read KRISSY’S comment! LOL!! That was kind of awesome!
Great cast. Anything with Philip Seymour Hoffman and Marisa Tomei in it is already on my ‘must see’ list.
@min76: Just thought of a lefty who got elected. Al Franken!!
Great cast, and I love the poster. I’ll be seeing it.
Crash: Do you actually let actors influence how you vote? I don’t. Sounds pretty simple minded to me.
Redicarus: Krissy was the first one to bring up politics and I responded. Am I not allowed to respond when someone else brings up politics? You don’t have a clue about me.
I enjoy what he said about campaigning for the Oscars, yet I can’t believe him. He seems like a type who wants an Oscar really. really. badly. As for what he says at the end about how celebrities influence policy, I pretty much threw up. *excuses self to go scrub floor*
@Redicarus: THANK YOU. It’s perfectly fine to have strong opinions regarding politics, but it’s unbelievable that people will call anyone who doesn’t share their same opinion “stupid” or “closed-minded”. Honestly, it’s pretty stupid and closed-minded to lump an entire group of people together and call them all the same name. Talk about not seeing out of the box. You can think whatever you want about either side, but name calling is childish.
LOL, and his involvement with Sarah and Elisabetta made him feel cleaner?!! It’s funny that George makes a film about morality and yet his last two hired escort/girlfriends have left many people questioning George’s own morality and wondering what he is really like behind the Hollywood veneer.
It really is delusional to say “celebrities can encourage politicians”. Politicians use celebrities because it’s a free press ride for coverage in areas they can’t get without them. That doesn’t mean they listen at all to any celebrity. They just have to appear with one to get coverage. Big difference.
George is no different than the women he dates. They are both used as arm candy for PR purposes
@ bugsy – you took the words right out of my mouth. I am neither Republican nor Democrat (would like to start a political party called “The Common Sense Party”)as I have values on both sides. People who have to put other people’s opinions down and follow not their own mind need to take a second look.
I think deep down inside George would love to have another Oscar,especially for favorite actor or director.If this movie lives up to it’s hype,this just might do it, not only for him but maybe for Ryan as well.
Hi Original Lucy hope all is well *hugs*
Easily the most creative and conceptually impressive movie poster I’ve seen in a while.
I’m always baffled by working class people who support the Republican Party because they’re clearly a party that favours the ruling class.
Anywho, I like the poster and I’ll watch anything with Ryan Gosling in it, so I’m up for this.
@bluhare THANKS! I knew there’s always the exception that proves the rule.
Blah blah blah Clooney. 🙄
Yet ANOTHER one of his boring sounding films. *Yawn*
Hi Aqua! Were you talking to me? things are going well, thanks! How about you?*hugs*
I am really interested in seeing this movie!
I love the poster, and I loved the bit of the trailer I saw on Entertainment Tonight. Looks like a very interesting film. The only bad thing is I’ve already figured the plot out, but that’s not unusual for me. I’m sure I’ll still enjoy watching this movie.
I’m completely mesmerized by this poster.I just can’t stop myself from looking at it.It’s very smart looking and George and Ryan look almost alike in it.
Yes Lucy Original I was talking to you! sorry I got your name backwards.
@Aqua: I think this poster is really great too!
Oh, no worries about my name, :).
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