Home > A & E > Clooney and Zellweger visit Duluth
Clooney and Zellweger visit Duluth
BY JAMI REINHART
STATESMAN STAFF WRITER
ISSUE 17/25
Arriving in classic 1920s style, dressed in classic 1920s fashion, George Clooney and Renée Zellweger greeted the awaiting press and tightly packed crowd of fans Monday, as they entered the press conference inside the Depot on a train, to promote their upcoming film, “Leatherheads.”
“It was kind of surreal to see them in Duluth,” said UMD college graduate Sarah Kubarek, who was part of the crowd outside The Depot. “It was nice to see that they are actually real people.” “Leatherheads,” starring Academy Award winners Clooney and Zellweger, along with John Krasinksi—perhaps best known for his role in “The Office”—is a romantic comedy filled with witty dialogue, based on the roots of America’s professional football league in 1925.
Clooney appeared as charismatic as many of his onscreen roles. With his humor and personable nature, Clooney was giving his longtime friend and onscreen love interest a hard time as soon as they stepped down from the train. As Zellweger sat with poise and sophistication, Clooney sat beside her, displaying a subtle smirk. Facing the blinking cameras, the two celebrities sat as they waited for the press to begin asking questions.
Following a team derived from the Duluth Eskimos during the beginnings of football, the story was based in Duluth, though it was filmed predominately in the Carolinas due to the weather. “I thought about filming it in Duluth, but apparently, I hear it’s cold here in February,” joked Clooney. “I wanted to represent the town. We didn’t get the place exactly, but we did the best we could to match the scenery.”
Despite the comedic, more light-hearted film, as both a main character and director, Clooney had his work cut out for him. “It’s definitely paying attention to a million different things,” said Clooney. “It’s a lot of juggling, but with wonderful actors, it makes it so easy to do.” Acting in a number of different film genres, this 1920s-based film gives the witty duo a chance to mix things up a bit. “I just like good films, and this one’s good,” said Zellweger. “It’s not a bad day at work.”
Though watching the charming Clooney and amiable Zellweger onscreen may portray the two A-list actors as somewhat unrealistic, they did not hesitate to credit themselves as ordinary people.
“I pay people to tell me the truth,” Clooney joked as he explained how he remains level headed through all the stardom. From spending time with nieces and nephews to having lifelong friends dating back 20 years, Clooney and Zellweger made known their lives are just as real behind the scenes as any of the other people in the crowd.
“You have to learn the skills to deal with everyday mess,” said Zellweger. “Our lives are only not normal from the outside. It’s the projections from other people that aren’t normal.” Greeting enthusiastic, smiling fans that stood behind the press, Clooney and Zellweger eventually made their way out into the reality of the cold Duluth air, with a warm welcome from screaming fans. Crowded outside the Depot, fans stood on tip-toes to see the stars as they came out to greet them.
While some held pictures and signs, others took as many pictures as their cameras would allow, as Clooney and Zellweger walked through the fans, signing autographs and striking up brief conversations. “I think it is neat for them [Clooney and Zellweger] to see the people come out to support them. It shows how friendly Duluth is and how excited we all were to see them,” said Alisha Wicklund, a fan waiting outside the Depot. “I got to touch George Clooney; he shook my hand!”
