George Clooney: Women Can Carry Film, 'The Help' Proves

George Clooney Stands Up For Women

Forget the looks and charm: George Clooney is a ladies' man because he's a stand up guy.

The Oscar-winner, who scored a handful of Golden Globe nominations for this year's "The Ides of March" and "The Descendants," gives major props to two of the year's biggest hits and their greater significance in Hollywood.

"There's this strange thing that's happened over the last 25 or 30 years where there's this decision being made that women aren't able to carry the box office," Clooney tells Entertainment Weekly in their new cover story. "Now, Bridesmaids has proved that to be bullsh*t, and 'The Help' has proven it to be bullsh*t. But it's much harder to get a film with a woman lead made. When a man hits 40 is when roles just begin to happen. And for women it doesn't happen. I find that to be a very concerning issue."

It's no surprise that Clooney is standing up for women in film, given his long tradition of progressive activism. But as he points out, it's not just ideals that form his beliefs in this case. Looking at box office returns, his two films (which, granted were more targeted niche releases), didn't come close to earning what "Bridesmaids" and "The Help" took in.

Domestic and international returns combined, "The Ides of March" took in $57 million, while "The Descendants" took in $40 million domestically (without a substantial international release to bolster it). On the other hand, "The Help" brought in $203 worldwide, while "Bridesmaids" grossed $288 million.

Clooney had another reason to praise "The Help": his long friendship with Viola Davis. For more on that, click over to Entertainment Weekly.

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