Clint Eastwood has remained pretty solidly behind the camera in recent years. He hasn’t appeared on film since his own Million Dollar Baby in 2004. Meanwhile, he turned down the chance to be in Paul Haggis’s latest flick (In the Valley of Elah) and is even moving into composing movies that aren’t his own (such as the upcoming Grace is Gone). So has Eastwood retired from acting? That’s the question that has been making the rounds, but don’t count the Academy-winner out yet.
The actor/director/composer/producer told Entertainment Weekly that, while he has taken a break from acting, he’s currently enjoying life behind the camera. Reportedly he told Paul Haggis when he turned down Elah that he didn’t think he could go out better than Million Dollar Baby, and that resonates in his words to EW: ”If I don't do it again, it won't break my heart, because I've had a good, long run, but if something good comes along down the line...”
EW brings up a good question when they ask Eastwood how many meaty parts are out there for old guys (Eastwood says there are), although I almost take issue with that. Frankly, Eastwood’s career has only gotten stronger as he’s gotten older. Some of his best parts have come in the last ten to fifteen years, which explains Eastwood’s desire to stop attempting to top himself and just appreciate what he’s done.
So, while Eastwood may not be appearing on screens any time soon, he’s not officially retired yet. Meanwhile, he is still involved in making movies, even if he isn’t in them. Grace is Gone includes an Eastwood-composed score and Eastwood is currently working on The Changling written by J. Michael Straczynski and starring Angelina Jolie.
