Tomorrowland’s Britt Robertson Reveals the Career Advice George Clooney Gave Her

Great interview
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Tomorrowland’s Britt Robertson Reveals the Career Advice George Clooney Gave Her

It could be the biggest embarrassment of my life, or it could be the craziest thing that ever happened.”


Britt Robertson knows her life is about to change dramatically. “I go to the grocery store in my sweatpants now,” she says with premature nostalgia. “I’m so fortunate. I’ve been able to work and survive, but also no one really knows who I am, and that’s kind of the perfect position to be in.” This May, Disney’s Tomorrowland—directed by Brad Bird (The Incredibles)—will kick off the summer-blockbuster season. The film’s two leads? Arguably the most famous actor in the world, George Clooney . . . and the 24-year-old Robertson.

Since she began acting, at the age of 10, Roberston has starred in two CW series—Life Unexpected and The Secret Circle—as well as the CBS science-fiction hit, Under The Dome. But Tomorrowland promises to shift her career into a completely different gear. “When I got the role, it was the best feeling I’ll ever have in my life,” she says.

Robertson—who grew up in a family of “big ER fans”—gushes about Clooney in the way, well, you’d imagine anyone who got to spend months in close proximity to George Clooney might gush. She lights up as she recounts how he showed up the day before they were to start filming together to introduce himself: “He was so not intimidating. . . . We had some really funny banter, some weird back-and-forth about being television actors.” She recalls one night in Spain at the end of the shoot when Clooney, who was dining with his hairstylist in a hotel restaurant, called her over to his table to “hang.” “He gave me some great advice on how to handle myself from this point forward, knowing that this would be a pretty big deal for me,” Robertson says. “He said to me, ‘I know you’ve had a really long shoot . . . but keep going. Don’t just ride on this movie and hope that it does something good for you; get some momentum.’ He mentioned [his The Descendants co-star] Shailene Woodley, who didn’t just let that movie carry her. She found other projects that she was just as passionate about and made a career for herself.”

Before Tomorrowland, you’ll be able to catch a Robertson appetizer of sorts when she stars in April’s The Longest Ride, adapted from the Nicholas Sparks novel, in which she appears opposite Scott Eastwood (Clint’s son). (“[Scott] loved to be naked, anytime, anywhere, any opportunity,” she laughs. “He’s so comfortable with himself; it made it really easy for me to be comfortable with him.”) Meanwhile, while she waits for Tomorrowland’s release, Robertson is trying to stay calm amid a maelstrom of emotions. “Some moments I have so much anxiety about it—I haven’t seen it, I’m anxious, I’m nervous, I want it to be good so bad,” she says. “And then there’s another part of me that kicks in that’s just like, You have to enjoy this time right now. Because when it does come out, when people see it, it could be the biggest embarrassment of my life, or it could be the craziest thing that ever happened.”


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also yesterday on THR
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Next Big Thing: 'The Longest Ride,' 'Tomorrowland' Star Britt Robertson

Britt Robertson isn't a totally fresh face in Hollywood, having played meaty roles on The CW's Life Unexpected and The Secret Circle and CBS' Under the Dome. But none of those shows starred George Clooney, nor did they cost $180 million to make, as Disney's feature film Tomorrowland did. Before that Brad Bird-directed adventure hits theaters May 22, the actress — the eldest of seven brothers and sisters who came to Los Angeles from South Carolina at age 14 — will be seen opposite Scott Eastwood in the Nicholas Sparks adaptation The Longest Ride on April 10.
How did you land the lead in Tomorrowland? That casting was very competitive.
I auditioned over the course of eight months. I was shooting a film in New York and I put myself on tape. Then I flew back to L.A. a few times, and then finally they asked me to do a final test with [co-star] Raffey Cassidy and Brad [Bird]. I found out about a week later that I got it.

The movie has been shrouded in secrecy. What was that like for you shooting it?
I didn't get to read the whole script until the very end of the audition process. And then once I got the part, they didn't release the script to me until I got to Vancouver. It's a really cool, innovative movie, and I think they just wanted to keep it all on lockdown.
Were you a fan of Nicholas Sparks books or movies growing up in the South?
They're a huge deal there. A Walk to Remember was a huge movie for me. I thought Mandy Moore was the coolest thing that ever happened. And Shane West — man, did I have a crush on him.
What was your favorite movie when you were growing up?I think the one that stands out in my mind would be Pretty Woman, which is kind of a messed up movie to love as a child but it was the first movie my mom ever took me to — I was really young. I didn’t really understand any of the ideas or concepts in the film but I loved Julia Roberts and Richard Gere and I just loved that whole story. It’s so nostalgic now when I rewatch it at this point in my life.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Rapping. I just obsess over learning these raps. Right now, there's this awesome song by Nicki Minaj and Skylar Grey called "Bed of Lies."
If you weren’t acting what would you be doing?
Housekeeping. I was going to start a housekeeping business at one point because I’m really good at cleaning houses.

maybe she is gonna be the next Shailene Woodley. George is always very kind to his co-stars.

Yes Sevens. George is always generous when working with his co-stars.  Especially the young ones.  Woodley,  Anna Kendrick, and now Britt.  

Thanks for the articles.  I have high hopes for this movie so I hope all this hype is worthy of this movie.  I want this movie to be thrilling!  And I'm not a sci-if fan so it's got to really impress me.

Finally Robertson talked about her fear of on set pranks, of which Eastwood pulled a few. However, it's George Clooney, whom she costars with in the upcoming Disney blockbuster "Tomorrowland," who really "terrifies" her.
"[Clooney's] pranks are really serious and go on for years. I can't handle it. I'm way too serious of a human."
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