Clint Eastwood, 96, 'would rather die on set than retire' claims screenwriter

George Simpson, Hollie BealeSun, May 31, 2026 at 10:00 AM UTC

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Clint Eastwood ‘surpassed my highest expectations' on set - ‘He'll never retire' (Image: WB)

Clint Eastwood stands as a giant of the New Hollywood movement, launching his career in legendary Westerns and action pictures before transitioning into an Academy Award-winning filmmaker.

The cinematic icon celebrates his 96th birthday this year and unveiled his latest project, Juror No. 2, in late 2024.

Nearly ten years have passed since Tom Hanks headlined Sully: Miracle on the Hudson, Eastwood's dramatization of the 2009 Hudson River plane crash in which the pilot saved 155 lives.

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Over time, Hanks has remarked that the veteran filmmaker was "intimidating as hell and treated us like horses" during the Sully production.

What Hanks was referring to was Eastwood's unique approach-instead of shouting "ACTION!" like conventional directors, he would position himself beside his performers and quietly say, "Okay, go ahead", mirroring his approach with anxious horses on Rawhide.

Tom Hanks with Clint Eastwood on the set of Sully (Image: WB)

Daily Express recently sat down with Sully writer Todd Komarnicki regarding his latest World War 2 feature Bonhoeffer, and we seized the opportunity to inquire about his experience with the Hollywood icon.

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He shared with us: "Working with Clint Eastwood was a complete dream. Now when you meet your heroes and they far surpass your highest expectation of them, that's what happened with Clint. And really I got into directing because I stood next to Clint Eastwood."

Todd, who both wrote and directed Bonhoeffer, went on to say: "What I saw on his set was the proper way to make a movie. No ego, no rushing, a deep calmness, a deep trust.

Clint Eastwood on set of Juror No 2 (Image: WB)

"He also loves writers, so he doesn't mess with the script. So he shot every word that I had written, which is obviously very nice. But he's lovely, he's funny and kind and inclusive, and it was a massive blessing to work with Clint.

"I can't imagine him retiring, I think it's more likely that he would die on set at 102 then retire."

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”