Hollywood superstar George Clooney says he turned himself down when he was directing 'Good Night, And Good Luck' because he realised he couldn't play beleaguered newsman Edward R Murrow.


George Clooney. Pic/AFP

The 50-year-old said he wrote the role so he could play the beloved broadcaster but quickly came to the conclusion that film fans wouldn't believe he had the weight of the world on his shoulders, reported Daily Star.

"The thing about Murrow is there always seems like there's the weight of the world on this guy's shoulder and no one feels that way about me.

It was the right call. I couldn't have done that part," Clooney said. The actor cast David Strathairn to play Murrow and he took a supporting role as TV mogul Fred Friendly.