George Clooney Returns to the Spotlight

By Stephen M. Silverman

06/27/2005 at 08:00 AM EDT

George Clooney is back in the spotlight after he was forced to back out of the Ocean's 12 premiere festivities last December owing to back pain.

On Saturday, the 44-year-old accepted the Los Angeles Film Festival's first-ever Spirit of Independence Award. USA Today described him as looking strong and tan, though out of touch since his physical setback.

Clooney reportedly has yet to be introduced to the twins born to his friend and costar Julia Roberts. "I hear they're 6 feet tall now," Clooney quipped. "They were born like 5 1/2 feet."

He has, though, reportedly been speaking with costar and pal Brad Pitt, with whom Clooney also works as a member of the Global Call to Action against Poverty. Clooney said he and Pitt "have a real shot at effecting some change."

The tongue-in-cheek Clooney also said that he helped kill off the Batman movie franchise when he starred in 1997's Batman & Robin – but is relieved that the franchise appears to be healthy again, thanks to the current Batman Begins.

"I'm no longer responsible for the Batman franchise," Clooney said in a discussion, according to the Associated Press. "I could have done that s---. (Batman & Robin director) Joel Schumacher told me Batman was gay."