Clooney bans use of Sandler’s nickname; wants him known for ‘incredible’ talent

George Clooney forbade everyone on the sets of his upcoming movie with Adam Sandler, Jay Kelly, from calling him by his nickname.

The Ocean’s eleven star will be seen portraying an ageing actor, Jay, in the new dramedy with Sandler as his manager Ron.

George, in an interview with a foreign media outlet revealed that he had urged the cast and crew [of Jay Kelly] not to call Adam the “Sandman” while they were shooting because he wanted Sandler to be taken seriously for his "incredible talent."

Sharing insights and reasons for forbidding using Adam’s nickname, The Batman and Robin star, said, "You get treated the way you treat yourself. This was a different kind of role for Adam, and I wanted to make sure that he wasn’t making fun of his incredible talent.”

Adam is known for his comic roles throughout his career. Reportedly, he is the same hilarious and nonchalant kind of person in life off camera too.

Clooney continued, "He likes to just deflect and I was like, ‘You know what, dude, you’re really good in this film and you’re a really good actor and let’s not just make jokes.'"

However, Sandler insisted on keeping his nickname, adding: "I still call myself the Sandman; he [Clooney] can’t stop me.”

"He just is very protective over me. He’s a really nice guy. We would do all these scenes together and we’d get deep together and he’d say: 'I just want people to recognize that' and I’d say: 'I’m OK, I like just working hard,’ and he’d say: 'No.' He’s very nice, he’s trying to look out for me,’” the Happy Gilmore star mentioned.

Their upcoming film revolves around famous movie star Jay Kelly and his devoted manager, Ron, as they embark on an unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men confront the choices they've made, relationships with loved ones, and the legacies they'll leave behind.

Jay Kelly will open in few cinemas on November 14 before arriving on Netflix on December 5.