He puts the rumors to rest!

GEORGE CLOONEY takes on the screwball comedy genre with 'Leatherheads,' his new pigskin period flick in theaters April 4, and our own VICTORIA RECANO has got gorgeous George all to herself! He talked about directing for the third time and addressed rumors of a possible 'ER' encore. So is it true he might make a cameo in the series' final season?

"The funniest thing is I woke up about two weeks ago and my Blackberry was buzzing at like 7 a.m. in the morning," he says," "and STAN, my publicist, had sent like 10 emails ... 'Is there any truth to the rumor?'"

He continues, "I dont think there's any chance. There's never been a request. It's sort of tricky to bring everybody back -- we're all old and gray."

So much for Dr. Ross! But you can still see George back on the big screen. His new sports comedy marks the 'Syriana' Oscar winner's third turn in the director's chair.

George says he's had lots of offers to work on serious films but he didn't want to get pigeon-holed. "That's a dangerous place to go if you want to be a director for the long term. You just become the issues guy."

In 'Leatherheads,' he plays a charming 1920s football hero determined to guide his ragtag team to victory, all the while vying against rookie teammate JOHN KRASINSKI for spitfire news reporter RENÉE ZELLWEGER's affections.