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 Title:
Leatherheads, feature film
Cast: George Clooney, Renee Zellweger
Extra: Austin Myers
Producers: Grant Heslov, George Clooney, Casey Silver
Director: George Clooney
Script: George Clooney, Stephen Schiff, Duncan Brantley,
Rick Reilly
About Austin
Age: 8 1/2 going on 9.
Grade: Graduated 3rd grade.
School: Ware Shoals Elementary, Ware Shoals, S.C.
Animal kingdom: During filming in Charlotte Austin, who loves
toy animals, brought his kingdom of animals with him. He found a
bush near the wall near the gym and made a trail. While Austin was
playing, other extras would come by and watch.
A cook’s best friend: Austin didn’t have any trouble
getting some special attention from the cooks. He would make friends
with them and they, in turn, would make sure Austin was well fed
and his wishes met.
It’s not the size of the boy: … George Clooney
and many of the cast members befriended Austin during the filming.
And thank goodness for that. When Austin ran onto the field one
time, he accidentally ran into Big Gus. Austin didn’t make
that mistake twice!
In a word: Cool! That’s what Austin thought of the attention
he received from wardrobe, hair stylists, makeup artists, directors,
cast and crew, and most of all his friends.
A
shootout for Austin!
George Clooney yelled to Austin Myers, nestled in a big crowd of
adults, to get his attention: “Hey kid, come here! Want to
do something really fun?”
Austin’s white hair most likely caught Clooney’s eyes
as he was scouting young talent for the movie “Leatherheads”
filming at Lake View Elementary School in Travelers Rest, South
Carolina. Austin could easily have passed as Dennis the Menace.
And in the film he was just as menacing to some of the players,
just as Clooney directed.
Austin, who reminds most people he is 8 1/2-years old, not 8, was
near finishing up his third grade studies at Ware Shoals Elementary
School when his mother, Kelly, took her sons and cousin to the set.
“He’s my wild child,” said his mom.
Clooney must have seen the mischievousness in Austin. The Oscar
winning actor gave Austin one of the most prized scenes a young
boy could want – and not get punished for it.
Here kid! Throw some tomatoes
Austin was told to throw tomatoes at Clooney’s team as they
came onto the field during filming of one scene. “Mr. Clooney
told Austin it was OK to throw the tomatoes and try to hit the players.
‘Just don’t hit me.’”
Austin’s tomato throwing was unscripted.
The scene was set in Chicago with the Duluth Bulldogs running onto
the field. Austin was on his knees on the wall behind the Bulldogs
bench. He took aim and hit “Big Gus” (Keith Loneker) who
is 6-foot-4 and weighs over 325 pounds. Loneker played for the Los
Angeles Rams and St. Louis Rams in the National Football League.
But that didn’t intimidate Austin. All he knew was “Big
Gus” was a big target. With the crowd yelling for Austin to
hit more players, he nailed one more and missed with the other throw.
“It felt kind of strange sitting behind him cheering Austin
to hit the players with a tomato. I wouldn’t allow that at
home. But since it was a movie and Mr. Clooney told him to, I guess
it’s OK. Everybody around us was totally into the scene,”
him mom said.
Austin beamed, said his mother, “like this was the best fun!”
Austin’s brother, Adam, during rehearsals asked Clooney if
his brother messed up could he do it. Clooney said, “If he
messes up I’ll find somebody else.” Austin responded,
“Oh no you won’t!”
Near-collision with Lexi
Austin also shot a scene with co-star Renee Zellweger at Ennis Field
(the name of the movie field at Travelers Rest).
Austin was directed to play around the parked antique cars outside
the entrance to the field. Zellweger (Lexi) steps out of a cab and
is walking into the stadium. On cue Austin was to run into the stadium,
near Zellweger and past the entrance. Austin cut it quite close
and almost had a collision – just how the scene was set up!
It wasn’t all fun and games for Austin. He missed some school
and had to stay after school to make up work and time missed. During
his filming in Travelers Rest and Charlotte he brought his homework.
But that wasn’t nearly as much fun as throwing tomatoes at
players and being a sidekick to film stars George Clooney and Renee
Zellweger.
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