George Clooney on Why He Has “More Fun” Directing Than Acting

is opening up about why he has “more fun” directing than he does acting. The Oscar winner recently spoke with about his latest directorial project, the film During the interview, Clooney admitted that when it comes to directing compared to acting, “It’s more fun, you have a lot more control.

I get to boss them around and I don’t have to learn how to row,” he quipped. The actor added, “It’s fun to come in in the morning and it’s fun to write a screenplay and then have somebody build a set that you wrote, it really is.” While Clooney has starred in dozens of projects, including , , , and , he has also directed a handful of films throughout his career such as , , and .

“As you get older, you need to have other things to do,” he told the outlet. “You can’t just do one thing. I’m lucky because I’m 62 and I get to do the stuff I love, and a lot of people don’t get that.” Clooney continued, “I’m well aware of it, and I celebrate it because, you know, if I’m not having fun, I think people would be really pissed off.

If they look at my life, you go, ‘If you’re not enjoying that, then, you know, then who knows.’” But fans don’t have to stress about not seeing the actor on the big screen again as he is set to star alongside in , a film from writer director Jon Watts. “I still like acting, I have fun,” Clooney said before joking with a deadpan expression, “I just did a film with Brad Pitt, he’s an up and coming actor.” Clooney’s , based on the University of Washington’s rowing team’s journey to winning gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, is currently playing in theaters.

THR Newsletters Sign up for THR news straight to your inbox every day More from The Hollywood Reporter.