George Clooney says he was “frustrated” about losing the role in ‘Thelma & Louise’ to Brad Pitt

George Clooney is reflecting on what could have happened.

Reminiscing about the early days of his career, the 64-year-old actor recently told The Sunday Times that he vividly remembers his desire to break away from his regular TV roles and become a full-fledged film actor. But just when he thought he would get his big break as J.D. in 1991’s Thelma & Louise, along came Brad Pitt.

Clooney reflected on the film, directed by Ridley Scott, saying, “It was my final test for the role of “Thelma & Louise.” “So, Mom, Brad gets it.”

“I didn’t watch ‘Thelma & Louise’ for years because it annoyed me,” he continued. “This role started his film career. He used to do sitcoms and shitty jobs, so when did that get me started? Hmph!”

The two have now become longtime friends and have co-starred in numerous films, including Ocean’s Eleven and its sequel. And when Clooney finally got around to watching Thelma & Louise, he admitted Pitt, 61, was the obvious choice for the role.

“He gives me great things,” the Jay Kelly actor said of the F1 star. “But of course, when I saw it, I thought, ‘Oh, that must be him.'”

Never miss a news. Sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up to date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to human interest stories.

Pitt previously recalled that his casting agent “introduced a few other actors” before officially offering him the role.

“I just thought, I’m the right person for this,” he said in a January 2023 cover interview for W Magazine’s Best Performance issue. “At first I didn’t get the role, and then I got the role again, and then I didn’t get the role again, and I was like, ‘Hmm, okay, I’ll move on.'” And then I came back again…I think it happened about three times. ”

He also talked about the famous love scene that helped him “enter the big leagues.”

“Gina (Davis) was so sweet, sweet and sensitive,” Pitt said of filming one of Hollywood’s sexiest sex scenes with Davis, who played Thelma Dickinson. “I think we shot that love scene for two days. She took care of me.”

Meanwhile, Davis, 69, said she remembers being impressed by the fresh-faced actor from the moment she saw him audition.

“He just has ‘it’,” she told PEOPLE in February 2020. “When I was auditioning, I knew he was a very talented guy. He’s accomplished an incredible amount over the years.”

He added: “He’s really a ‘star’ right now. That’s great and it’s really great to see.”