What was Clint Eastwood really like as a director? Stories from stars who worked with the legend

In an interview with French outlet France 3, Clint Eastwood's son and musician & composer Kyle Eastwood has revealed that his father has officially retired.

The legendary Oscar-winning actor & director has decided to take his final bow from Hollywood, after a successful career spanning seven decades and more than 70 films, making the 2024 legal thriller Juror No 2, starring Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette, his last film as a director.

Clint Eastwood, who turned 96 on May 31, broke out with his role in the 1960 Western series Rawhide. As Eastwood moved into directing with 1971's Play Misty for Me, he went on to deliver some of Hollywood’s most memorable films, including Million Dollar Baby, Unforgiven, Gran Torino and American Sniper, among many others.

As an actor-turned-director, Eastwood has experienced one of the most successful careers in Hollywood. Following Clint Eastwood's retirement announcement, as the director prepares to embark on a new chapter in his life, fans might be curious about the filmmaker behind the lens.

Stars share stories about Clint Eastwood

Laura Linney reveals the surprising habit Clint Eastwood picked up during his years making Westerns

Actress Laura Linney, who has worked with the legendary filmmaker on projects like Mystic River, Sully: Miracle on the Hudson and Absolute Power, shared a rare anecdote about Eastwood with The Independent for a new interview series Life in Pictures.

Linney revealed that Eastwood always spoke in a level voice and never shouted 'cut' or 'action' on set, a habit he picked up during his years making Westerns, including Rawhide. The actress revealed:

''That's how he rolls. The reason he doesn't yell 'action' or 'cut' is because of the westerns he made. Because if someone yelled, the horse would jump and get scared, so everybody's quiet on set.''

Clint Eastwood pushed back for Meryl Streep's role in The Bridges of Madison County

Fans must remember Clint Eastwood's 1995 American romantic drama The Bridges of Madison County, where he shared the screen with Meryl Streep. While Eastwood always envisioned Streep as his leading lady, the Studio did not approve of his decision.

However, as the actress revealed in a documentary about the making of the film, Eastwood pushed back and convinced the studio that Streep would be perfect for the movie's heroine, Francesca Johnson, and the rest is history.

Matt Damon revealed Clint Eastwood's one-take rule

Eastwood refused to be bound to a particular genre and tried his hand at all: biopics, war films, musicals, romance, Westerns and more. While the director was known for his fast-paced filmmaking style, always wrapping ahead of schedule and under budget, actor Matt Damon was taken aback by his one-take rule.

Damon teamed up with Eastwood to work on the 2009 sports drama Invictus. Speaking on First We Feast, Damon revealed that when he asked for one more take for a particular scene, the filmmaker replied:

'Why? Do you want to waste everybody's time?'

The cheeky reply highlights Eastwood's passion for his work and trust in his actors.

When Morgan Freeman shared his admiration for Clint Eastwood

Actor Morgan Freeman, who collaborated with Eastwood on two of his most acclaimed and Oscar-winning films Million Dollar Baby and Unforgiven, believes the filmmaker has mastered the art of filmmaking and is the best in the game.

In a conversation with US interviewer Larry King, Freeman revealed:

"He doesn't fool around with actors. He hired you to do that job, so he ain't doing it for you. He respects the actor. Everybody who's ever worked with him comes away with that feeling – that this guy tops."

Angelina Jolie believes Clint Eastwood brings the best out of his actors

It looks like Matt Damon was not the only actor who had to adjust to Eastwood's one-take rule, as Angelina Jolie was 'terrified' with the director's policy when she collaborated with him on the 2008 drama Changeling.

However, when talking to Indie London, the actress felt that the one-take rule helped her deliver a better performance in the film:

''If you bring your all and give it everything you've got until you're emotionally drained. He will capture it on film and he won't ask you to do it 20 times.''

While Eastwood's one-take rule terrified actors at first, it also brought out the best in them.

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