Clint Eastwood - Empty Chairs Return To Haunt Clint Eastwood At 'Trouble With The Curve' Premiere

Clint Eastwood isn't going to be living down his now infamous empty chair speech at the recent Republican convention any time soon. The venerable actor and director spoke at an event to show his support for the Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney and opted to have an imaginary conversation with an (of course absent) President Barack Obama. The images of Eastwood talking to an empty chair have become internet meme sensations, whilst impressions have adorned television screens worldwide, culminating in actor Bill Hader doing his own version on a recent episode of Saturday Night Live.

You'd think he'd be safe at the premiere of his latest film though but apparently not. The 82 year-old appeared at the showing of Trouble With The Curve and walked past the press, only to have it pointed out that there were 16 chairs being carried behind him. Eastwood took the reference pointed out to him in his stride, laughing "Oh my God, yes."

The chairs were only set dressing for the stage, but Eastwood had it made clear that he didn't want to answer any questions about his speech whilst at the premiere. Reflecting on its impact on the film, director Robert Lorenz pondered "I don't know. Some people may come and some people may not because of it. But, in the end, it's not a political movie. Myself, the other cast (members), we all have different political ideas. We all came together and put those aside. So, I hope people treat it as such."