'Ides of March': George Clooney's fast and fun, Ryan Gosling says

With two high-profile films coming out this fall, George Clooney has been seemingly everywhere the last few weeks. (Not that we're complaining, of course.) His new film, "The Ides of March" -- a political thriller that he produced, directed and stars in -- opens Oct. 7, followed by a turn in "The Descendants," Alexander Payne's buzz-worthy family drama out a month later.

"I always feel like I'm competing against myself. Every morning I feel like I'm competing against myself," Clooney said at the "Ides" premiere in Beverly Hills on Tuesday, joking about his potential overexposure.

Pictures: "Ides of March" premiere with Ryan Gosling, George Clooney

"No, I'm having fun," he said with a smile. "I'm having a fun year, because I get to work with Alexander Payne, who's a wonderful director on a really wonderful film, and I get to work with all these terrific actors ..."

In "Ides of March," Clooney takes on the role of Gov. Mike Morris, a democrat seeking the presidency whose campaign manager -- played by Ryan Gosling -- threatens to derail his political ambitions. Gosling, whose performance is already earning critical accolades, said Clooney had a different style of working on set than he was used to.

"He works so fast," the 30-year-old said of the 50-year-old. "I think he feels a lot of pressures as a guy, because he's the producer, director and the star and he tries very hard to keep a light environment on the set. He's always doing impersonations and singing for the crew and telling jokes. He does a lot of work to make sure it's fun for everybody."

But it was acting with Gosling that was pleasant for Evan Rachel Wood, who shares a number of steamy scenes with him in the film.

The actress said that in recent weeks she's been approached by "a lot of jealous girls" who are Gosling fans. "And I totally get it," she said. "All I have to say is, basically, he's everything you would hope and expect. He's awesome and cool and fun. He's a good guy."

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-- Amy Kaufman
twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photo: Ryan Gosling, left, and George Clooney at the "Ides of March" premiere in Beverly Hills on Sept. 27, 2011. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images.