GEORGE CLOONEY - CLOONEY AND SODERBERGH PART WAYS

CLOONEY AND SODERBERGH PART WAYS

GEORGE CLOONEY and director STEVEN SODERBERGH have ended their business partnership, insisting working together has "stopped being fun". Soderbergh, who is largely responsible for propelling Clooney to big screen fame after casting him in 1998 movie hit OUT OF SIGHT, reveals the pair's production company, Section Eight, will stop in March (07). The firm has been behind a string of successful movies including hugely acclaimed efforts SYRIANA and GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK. Soderbergh explains, "It's stopped being fun. We just sat down one day and said 'no more'. "It was a bit like THE BEATLES - let's get out after ABBEY ROAD - although with less acrimony. The workload became too heavy." On Saturday (19AUG06) the movie-maker also confirmed his hit OCEAN'S film franchise - starring Clooney and produced by their company - will end after upcoming OCEAN'S THIRTEEN.