HBO chief Casey Bloys has publicly confirmed that George Clooney would be welcome to join the medical drama "The Pitt," despite ongoing legal complications surrounding the series. The invitation comes as Warner Bros. Discovery continues defending itself against a copyright lawsuit filed by Michael Crichton's estate.
Clooney expressed enthusiasm about joining the series, telling Entertainment Tonight he would join "in a heartbeat." However, the actor clarified he hasn't approached his former colleague about an appearance, stating he doesn't want to interrupt what is fundamentally Noah Wyle's show.
Legal Battle Creates Unusual Backdrop
Warner Bros. Discovery faces an uphill legal battle over "The Pitt," which stars Noah Wyle as Dr. Michael "Robby" Robinavitch in a Pittsburgh trauma hospital. The Crichton estate claims negotiations for an ER reboot collapsed, leading producers to create what they allege is essentially the same show under a different name.
The estate's lawsuit argues that a contract signed by Michael Crichton in the 1990s gave him rights to sequels, remakes, and derivative works. The case centers on whether "The Pitt" qualifies as a derivative work of "ER," the iconic medical drama that launched both Clooney's and Wyle's careers.
Warner Bros. has twice unsuccessfully attempted to have the case dismissed. In court filings, the studio argues the shows involve completely different characters, plots, settings, themes, and pacing, maintaining that sharing a genre and some creative personnel doesn't constitute copyright infringement.
Shared Creative DNA Fuels Controversy
The similarities between the shows are undeniable. Both feature emergency room settings, fast-paced medical scenarios, and overlapping creative teams including executive producer John Wells, writer R. Scott Gemmill, and producer Joe Sachs. Most notably, Noah Wyle transitions from his 15-season run as Dr. John Carter on "ER" to leading "The Pitt."
Industry observers note that inviting another prominent "ER" alumnus like Clooney could potentially complicate Warner Bros.' defense strategy. The studio insists the shows are fundamentally different, yet adding recognizable faces from the original series might undermine that argument in the eyes of the court.
Warner Bros. Discovery has attempted to dismiss the suit twice without success as of recent weeks, signaling the legal battle may extend well into 2026.
Critical Success Despite Controversy
Launching on HBO Max in early 2025, "The Pitt" has earned strong reviews from critics and audiences alike. The Hollywood Reporter's Daniel Fienberg noted the show builds storylines skillfully and generates earned emotional moments, though he acknowledged it performs "ER-adjacent" storytelling that genre fans will appreciate.
The series secured a second-season renewal in February, demonstrating HBO Max's confidence despite the legal uncertainty. Beginning December 1st, the first season will expand to TNT for its linear television debut, reaching broader audiences across the Warner Bros. Discovery family of networks.
Wyle previously told Variety he feels "profoundly sad and disappointed" by the lawsuit, noting what could have been a collaborative partnership turned acrimonious. The timing seems particularly unfortunate, falling on the 30th anniversary of "ER's" original premiere.
What Clooney's Potential Appearance Means
If Clooney eventually appears on "The Pitt," he would not reprise his beloved Dr. Doug Ross character. Warner Bros. maintains the series is not an "ER" reboot, meaning any appearance would feature an entirely new character without connections to his previous role.
Clooney praised the show's quality and called Wyle's work a continuation of tradition, demonstrating genuine support for his former colleague's latest project.
For viewers nostalgic about "ER's" legacy, "The Pitt" offers familiar elements reimagined for contemporary healthcare challenges. Whether Clooney ultimately joins remains uncertain, but HBO's open invitation suggests the network values the potential publicity and viewer excitement such casting would generate.
The legal battle will likely continue through early 2026, potentially affecting production decisions for the show's second season. Until then, fans can stream "The Pitt" exclusively on HBO Max or catch the TNT broadcast starting December 1st.