Eastwood to act again?

When Clint Eastwood turned down the lead in Paul Haggis’ upcoming IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, (Tommy Lee Jones eventually got the part) rumours began swirling about his future in front of the camera? Was Eastwood retiring as an actor? Has his massive success behind the lens caused him to give up the craft that made him famous?

Eastwood just spoke with EW.com about that very prospect, and things don’t appear as definite as they once did:

You never say never, but right now, I’ve moved to the back of the camera, and I’ve sort of been enjoying it there. So we’ll have to wait and see on that. 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…for a second. “If something like Million Dollar Baby comes along again, maybe I will. It was tough to pass on [In the Valley of Elah]. I liked where Paul was headed with it, but at the same time I was doing a lot of other stuff then — Flags [of Our Fathers], Letters from Iwo Jima. It was a tough one to pass up, but by the same token, Tommy Lee Jones [who took the lead role in Elah] is terrific.”

Do I think Eastwood will act again? No. Do I care? No. It’s not like he’s retiring from movies. He’s one of the best directors working today, bringing back a nobility and grace to cinema that is hard to come by these days. If he’s happy behind the camera, let him stay there, and if you’re not happy, go rent THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE UGLY, or one of the other dozens of classics he’s been in.