The Good Clooney

Steven Soderbergh (Ocean’s Twelve) and golden boy Clooney’s latest joint venture, The Good German, is set to be released sometime in 2006 through their Section Eight Productions. The Joseph Kanon-adapted novel stars Clooney as Jake Geismar, an American reporter sent to cover the Allied summit meeting that will decide control over post-World War II Germany. However, he is secretly there to find  former flame Lena Brandt, played by Cate Blachett (The Aviator). He falls deep into a murder mystery as the body of an American soldier washes up on shore. The black & white film co-stars Tobey Maguire (Wonder Boys) as a man with underground connections who chauffeurs Clooney around town, Beau Bridges (The Fabulous Baker Boys), and Leland “Oh*pant*God, he had a*pant*gun in my*pant*mouth” Orser (Se7en).

Clooney also confirmed that he will be re-teaming with Joel and Ethan Coen, the brothers responsible for bringing out the silly in Clooney as evidenced in O Brother, Where Art Thou? and Intolerable Cruelty. Their new collaboration is reportedly titled Burn After Reading. If I could have Clooney record a message for my answering machine, there is no doubt in my mind I would have him say “Damn! We’re in a tight spot!”

After winning his second Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Supporting Role as CIA agent Bob Barnes in Syriana, (the first being for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy in 2001 for his role in O Brother) it seems the Oscar-nominated Clooney can do no wrong these days. He’s garnered Oscar nominations in multiple categories for Good Night, and Good Luck, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for David Strathairn. Add to that a Best Supporting Actor nod for Syriana and you’re miles away from ER’s Dr. Doug Ross or his lamented portrayal of crime-fighting Bruce Wayne/Batman (he still puts Christian Bale to shame in my book). The future shines bright for George.

To read AICN’s interview with the man himself, click here.