Actress Renee Zellweger said that she and George Clooney have been friends for the past 27 years.

While talking to W magazine about her latest film Leatherheads along with Clooney, who has also directed the film, Zellweger said that she was nervous about letting Clooney down on the film, saying she didn't want to 'drop the ball ... to be the one who sucks.'

"He doesn't even know how important his opinion has been to me over the years," People quoted her, as telling the magazine.

"I don't want to disappoint him," she said.

But even in the serious talk about the film, the two couldn't seem to stop joking, with Clooney saying that Zellweger plays a smart character in the film.

"In movies, so often the guy gets to be the one with all the answers. In this one, she's the smart one. Which was incredible acting on her part," he said.

"He's not kidding," Zellweger added.