Clint Eastwood and Amy Adams Talk 'Trouble'

Clint Eastwood made headlines for his infamous conversation with an empty chair at the Republican National Convention, and now the 82-year-old living legend tells ET that he's nothing like the "adorably grumpy" character in his new baseball movie Trouble with the Curve.

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"Well people seem to think I come by that naturally – I don't know quite how they get that," he tells our Christina McLarty with a laugh, adding that it was nice not having to both act and direct in this particular project.

In Trouble, out September 21, Clint plays Gus Lobel, one of the best scouts in baseball. But age is starting to catch up with him, and he refuses to be benched for the final innings of his career. When the Atlanta Braves front office (which includes Matthew Lillard) starts to question his judgment, he reluctantly recruits his estranged attorney daughter Mickey (Amy Adams) to be his eyes – forcing the two to reconcile and make new discoveries that could change their future. Justin Timberlake plays Johnny Flanagan, a rival scout who has his sights on a career in the announcer's booth -- and romance with Mickey.

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Trouble with the Curve marks the feature film directorial debut of Eastwood's longtime producing partner Robert Lorenz, and also stars John Goodman, Robert Patrick, newcomer Joe Massingill and Clint's son Scott Eastwood.