Hollywood is full of weird stories. But the one about George Clooney and Nicole Kidman is actually true. It’s not a rumor. It’s a decades-long saga involving cold hard cash and the fact that George Clooney once swore he’d never, ever get married again.
He was wrong. Obviously.
If you look back at 1997, these two were the biggest names on the planet. They were filming The Peacemaker. It was the very first movie ever released by DreamWorks, Steven Spielberg’s then-new studio. On set, Clooney was the charming guy from ER trying to prove he could be a movie star. Kidman was the "serious" actress. They clicked instantly.
But it wasn't a romance. It was a friendship built on a very expensive wager.
The $10,000 Wager That Lasted Decades
Basically, George Clooney was a cynical guy in the 90s. After his divorce from Talia Balsam in 1993, he told everyone who would listen that marriage just wasn't for him. He wasn't built for it. He liked his bachelor life, his pig Max, and his freedom.
Nicole Kidman didn't buy it. Neither did Michelle Pfeiffer.
The bet was simple: Clooney wagered $10,000 that he would still be unmarried and childless by the time he turned 40.
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That was in 2001.
When the big 4-0 rolled around, George was still single. He won. Nicole Kidman, being a woman of her word, sent him a check for the ten grand. Honestly, most people would have just cashed it and bought a nice watch. Not George.
He sent the check back.
He told her to keep it and offered "double or nothing" that he wouldn't be married by 50. Kidman and Pfeiffer reportedly took the bet. They were so sure that the world’s most famous bachelor would eventually cave.
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For years, this bet was the ultimate piece of Hollywood trivia. It defined George Clooney's brand. He was the guy who couldn't be tamed. Kidman would mention it in interviews, laughing about how she was going to get her money back.
It felt like a permanent fixture of their friendship. Then 50 came and went. In 2011, Clooney hit the half-century mark. Still single. He’d won again.
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But then Amal Alamuddin happened.
When George finally married Amal in 2014 at the age of 53, the bet officially died. He finally lost. We don't know for sure if he ever ended up paying the "double or nothing" amount, but considering his Casamigos tequila deal made him a billionaire later on, he could certainly afford the $20,000.
The Peacemaker: Where the Friendship Started
You can't talk about George Clooney and Nicole Kidman without talking about the movie that trapped them in Slovakia together. The Peacemaker is a weird relic of the late 90s. It’s a "nuclear-weapons-on-a-train" thriller.
Mimi Leder directed it. She’d worked with George on ER and knew he had the charisma, but the studio wasn't sure he could carry a massive action flick.
Kidman played Dr. Julia Kelly, a nuclear expert. Clooney was Colonel Thomas Devoe. They spent months running around Eastern Europe.
What most people get wrong is thinking they were a "thing." They weren't. In fact, Kidman has said in several interviews—even as recently as the last few years—that Clooney became one of her "protectors" in the industry. They developed a sibling-like bond.
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- The Vibe: High-stress action but constant joking between takes.
- The Chemistry: Not romantic, but "buddy cop" energy.
- The Legacy: It proved Clooney could be a lead, even if the movie itself was just "okay."
Are they still friends in 2026?
Yeah. Totally.
They aren't spotted at brunch every Sunday, but they move in the same elite circles. When you've been in the trenches of a $50 million action movie in the 90s, you're bonded for life.
Recently, there’s been talk about them potentially working together again. With the Ocean’s franchise seeing a revival and Kidman continuing her streak of dominating prestige TV, fans have been vocal about wanting a reunion. They haven't shared a screen in a major way since 1997. That's a massive gap for two people who clearly enjoy each other's company.
Kidman is often seen supporting George’s humanitarian efforts. George usually has nothing but praise for Nicole’s "precision" as an actor. He once told Vanity Fair that she’s one of the few people who never says a false word on camera.
What we can learn from the Clooney-Kidman Dynamic
Their history is actually a great example of how to maintain a high-profile friendship without the tabloids ruining it.
- Keep it playful. The bet kept things light. It gave the media something to talk about that wasn't "Are they dating?"
- Respect the craft. They both survived the transition from "young stars" to "industry legends" by taking their work seriously but not themselves.
- Support the pivot. Kidman supported George when he moved into directing. George supported Kidman through her various career reinventions.
If you're looking to dive deeper into their history, start by re-watching The Peacemaker. It’s currently streaming on several platforms like Paramount+. It’s dated, sure. The cell phones are the size of bricks. But the chemistry between a young, smirk-heavy Clooney and a determined Kidman is undeniable.
Next, check out George's old interviews from the 2000s regarding the "bachelor bet." It’s a masterclass in how he handled the pressure of being the world's most eligible man.
Lastly, keep an eye on the 2026 production schedules. With both actors currently active in major projects, that long-awaited reunion might finally be on the horizon. Search for "George Clooney 2026 projects" or "Nicole Kidman upcoming films" to stay updated on the latest casting news.