George Clooney has reflected on his unique experience working on the animated adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr. Fox, calling it one of his favorite projects for reasons that go beyond typical filmmaking. Speaking about his role, Clooney explained what set the production apart, especially considering the rare nature of his voice acting career and his collaboration with director Wes Anderson on this film.
Clooney’s Rare Foray into Voice Acting with Wes Anderson
Known for his extensive and varied acting career, George Clooney entered new territory when he joined Wes Anderson’s 2009 adaptation of Fantastic Mr. Fox. Co-written by Anderson and Noah Baumbach, the film brought to life the classic tale of clever animals—led by Clooney’s Mr. Fox—who outwit three relentless farmers to feed their families and community. This project marked Clooney’s first time working with Anderson and stood out as one of the few occasions where he lent his voice to an animated character rather than appearing on screen.
Before Fantastic Mr. Fox, Clooney had only made brief appearances as a voice actor, including in South Park and its movie. After the 2009 film, his only significant voice roles have been as Spaceman, the astronaut imaginary friend in John Krasinski’s IF, and as Paul Newman in HBO Max’s docuseries The Last Movie Stars. These rare forays highlight how unusual and meaningful Fantastic Mr. Fox was in his filmography.
An Unconventional Approach to Animation
Reflecting on what made this project special, Clooney discussed the unconventional recording process. In an interview with ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan, he described the excitement surrounding the film’s unique production methods.
“so exciting to do because it was done in such an unorthodox way,”
— George Clooney, Actor
He highlighted a departure from standard animation recording, noting,
“we weren’t in a studio doing voiceovers.”
— George Clooney, Actor
Instead, Clooney and the cast performed their scenes on an actual farm, acting out their roles in real locations. For instance, in one scene where Mr. Fox enters a cave and calls out, Clooney physically created the echo effect himself, adding a personal touch rarely found in animated films. He described this hands-on process as a “granular way” to make a movie and looked back on the production as “a beautiful experience.”
The Film’s Lasting Impact and Clooney’s Career Since
Fantastic Mr. Fox stands out not only because of the rare circumstances of Clooney’s involvement, but also because it remains his only collaboration with Wes Anderson. While Anderson is known for bringing back collaborators such as Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, Willem Dafoe, and Owen Wilson—many of whom become regulars in his films—Clooney and Anderson have not reunited. This appears to be a result of busy schedules rather than any creative differences, as Clooney continues to speak fondly about his time on the film.
In the years since Fantastic Mr. Fox, Clooney has maintained a relentless pace in both acting and directing. His projects include Netflix’s science fiction drama The Midnight Sky, Ben Affleck’s film The Tender Bar, and the upcoming adaptation of The Boys in the Boat. Meanwhile, Anderson has completed several more films as well as four adaptations of Roald Dahl’s stories for Netflix, often reconnecting with past collaborators like Jeff Goldblum and Tony Revolori after significant gaps between projects.
Chance for a Future Reunion
Given Wes Anderson’s history of reuniting with actors and the mutual respect between the two, hopes remain high that Clooney and Anderson could work together again—potentially revisiting George Clooney’s Fantastic Mr. Fox. With Anderson’s continued expansion of his filmography and Clooney’s growing list of projects, such as the anticipated Ocean’s 14, fans are optimistic about the prospect of another creative partnership between these two industry figures.
Fantastic Mr. Fox’s cast also included celebrated actors such as Meryl Streep, further highlighting the film’s ensemble approach. This production, shaped by both unconventional methods and a talented team, left a lasting mark on Clooney, Anderson, and audiences alike, reinforcing the film’s place as a standout in contemporary animated cinema.
