The stars of Clint Eastwood's new movie "Juror #2" paid glowing tributes to "the boss," even as the 94-year-old director notably skipped the Hollywood world premiere of what could be his final film. "Juror #2," out Friday, is a suspenseful courtroom drama in which a jury member discovers he may be personally connected to a high-profile murder trial. It stars Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette and J.
K. Simmons, as well as Eastwood's daughter Francesca. "It was very special to be working with such an icon as Clint Eastwood," said Hoult.
"Obviously terrifying but...
he has a cracking sense of humor and charm." "He's a truly good, solid human being," added Collette. The movie has received strong reviews.
Deadline called it Eastwood's "best since 'American Sniper,'" and "one of the most compelling human dramas of his career." But Eastwood was glaringly absent from the film's glitzy premiere at the annual AFI Fest in Hollywood on Sunday night. Days earlier, trade publication Variety had reported that studio Warner Bros was "burying" the film, by releasing it in fewer than 50 theaters -- an unusually limited number for the major Hollywood studio.
Eastwood's previous film "Cry Macho," also released by Warner Bros, was a box office flop. The Variety report has led fans to speculate on a rift between Warner Bros and Eastwood. Representatives for the studio and director did not immediately respond to AFP request for comment.
"I know he's very sad not to be here tonight," said Hoult, without .