George Clooney is poised to grace the Venice International Film Festival once again, this time with Noah Baumbach's highly anticipated dramedy, Jay Kelly. The film, slated to premiere in competition on August 28, 2025, promises a meta and introspective look at fame, legacy, and the complexities of human connection. The 82nd Venice International Film Festival will be held from August 27 to September 6, 2025.
Jay Kelly features Clooney as Jay Kelly, a celebrated movie star seemingly disillusioned with the film industry. He is often criticized for simply playing himself. The film follows Jay and his devoted manager, Ron, played by Adam Sandler, on a profound journey through Europe. Along the way, they confront past choices, relationships, and the legacies they will leave behind. Laura Dern plays Liz, Jay's publicist, and Billy Crudup portrays a former acting friend. The film has a stellar cast that includes Riley Keough, Jim Broadbent, Patrick Wilson, and Greta Gerwig.
The film is co-written by Baumbach and Emily Mortimer. Amy Pascal and David Heyman produced the film. Linus Sandgren, known for his cinematography in La La Land, shot the film on 35mm film. Valerio Bonelli is the editor and Nicholas Britell composed the score.
Clooney's return to Venice is significant, marking another collaboration with a respected director and a foray into a character that seems to mirror aspects of his own life. The film's premise, with its themes of self-reflection and navigating the challenges of fame, offers Clooney an opportunity to explore new depths as an actor.
Noah Baumbach, known for his introspective and character-driven films like Marriage Story and The Squid and the Whale, seems to be delving into more personal territory with Jay Kelly. After his film White Noise, Baumbach questioned whether he still enjoyed filmmaking. Baumbach described the film as exploring vulnerabilities and questions about life through the lens of a movie star.
The Venice International Film Festival has long been a launching pad for acclaimed films and a gathering place for cinematic talent. The festival is scheduled to run from August 27th to September 6th, 2025. The festival will open with Paolo Sorrentino's film La grazia and close with Dog 51 by Cédric Jimenez. Jay Kelly's premiere adds to the festival's prestige, further solidifying its reputation as a key event in the film industry. The film has been nominated for the Golden Lion.
Following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Jay Kelly is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on November 14, 2025, before streaming on Netflix on December 5, 2025.
