George Clooney might be bidding his longtime career as an actor adieu, hinting that he's not keen to age on screen. The 54-year-old has seen his film opportunities shrink as he grows older, despite still appearing in highly anticipated movies like the Coen brothers' Hail, Caesar! and Money Monster.

"I think nobody really wants to see anybody really age," George laughed, speaking to the BBC. "It's a very unforgiving thing, the cameras, and so aging becomes something that you try to do less and less on screen.

"You try to pick the films that work best for you and as you age, they become less and less."

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Conceding that the situation is "obviously a lot worse for women", George said: "You get to that point where you really understand that, you know, you can't stay in front of the camera your whole life."

The silver fox has a back-up plan though – to return to his great love, directing. George made his directorial debut in 2002 with the release of Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, a spy comedy film that he starred in alongside Julia Roberts, Drew Barrymore and Sam Rockwell.

The actor then went on to direct Good Night, and Good Luck, Leatherheads, The Ides of March and The Monuments Men.

"It is my great love," George revealed. "I enjoy it a lot. I've had really great success, and I've had some not-so-successful films, and that's also part of the experience.

"But what I'll say is it's really fun. It's much more fun, and it's infinitely more creative, to be directing [than acting]."

The Hollywood favourite has been on the promotional trail this month for his new film Hail, Ceasar!

George has been supported by his gorgeous wife Amal, who has been standing by his side at premieres from Los Angeles to Berlin.

At the opening of the Berlinale International Film Festival, the human rights barrister stunned in a floor-length, vintage 1981 Yves Saint Laurent dress. The black silk gown from WilliamVintage featured a full-over tulle skirt, dainty straps and was covered in over 10,000 black sequins.