George Clooney Blasts Johnny Depp & Mark Wahlberg: ‘Told Us To ‘F*ck Right Off’
George Clooney Blasts Johnny Depp And Mark Wahlberg
George Clooney revealed that Johnny Depp and Mark Wahlberg declined roles in his film Ocean’s Eleven, telling him to “f*ck right off.”
At the TCM Classic Film Festival, George Clooney shared an interesting tidbit about the casting of his 2001 blockbuster, Ocean’s Eleven. The Oscar-winning actor intended Mark Wahlberg for the role of Linus Caldwell, a part that ultimately went to Matt Damon. But Wahlberg wasn’t alone in his refusal—Johnny Depp also turned down the role.
Clooney didn’t hold back, sharing, “Some very famous people told us to f— right off. Mark Wahlberg, Johnny Depp. They regret it now. I regret doing f—ing ‘Batman,’” as reported by Fox News. Despite Steven Soderbergh’s notable success with Erin Brockovich and Traffic, not everyone was keen to work on Ocean’s Eleven.
Not surprisingly, Clooney turned to his close friend Matt Damon when Wahlberg and Depp declined. Clooney and Damon have shared a strong friendship since meeting in 1999, right when Clooney finished his breakout role on NBC’s ER.
Ocean’s Eleven ended up featuring an impressive lineup of A-list stars including George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt, Andy Garcia, Julia Roberts, and Don Cheadle. The film’s success birthed three sequels: Ocean’s Twelve, Ocean’s Thirteen, and Ocean’s 8.
Besides Wahlberg and Depp, other well-known actors rumored to have declined roles in Ocean’s Eleven include Danny Glover, Bruce Willis, Owen Wilson, and Luke Wilson. While Depp was originally considered for Linus, Wahlberg’s eventual departure for Planet Of The Apes led to Damon stepping in.
Political and personal beliefs further distinguish Wahlberg from Clooney. While Clooney was raised as a Roman Catholic but later cast doubt on his beliefs, Wahlberg remains a devout Catholic, attributing his faith to his life’s turnaround.
The political divide between the two actors was evident during the 2016 presidential campaign. Clooney famously dismissed the idea of Donald Trump becoming president, while Wahlberg criticized celebrities who publicly bashed Trump.
Johnny Depp, on the other hand, has had an evolving relationship with political figures. Once criticized for joking about assassinating Trump, Depp found unexpected support from right-wing figures following his defamation case victory against Amber Heard. The case was seen by some as a stand against the
