HOLLYWOOD, CA — After years of silent endurance, legendary actor Robert Redford has reportedly confessed to close associates that his extensive filmography with various leading ladies was, in fact, merely a function of his employment. The stunning revelation comes amidst renewed media fascination with his on-screen pairings, particularly the perceived “rivalry” between Jane Fonda and Barbra Streisand for his cinematic affections.

“Honestly, I just read the script, negotiated my fee, and showed up,” a source close to Redford, who wished to remain anonymous to protect their continued access to Redford’s organic, artisanal granola, stated. “He said he wasn’t aware he was supposed to be sparking a multi-decade, deeply personal competition between two of the industry’s most formidable talents. He thought he was just… acting.”

Industry analysts are scrambling to recalibrate their understanding of Hollywood history. “For decades, we’ve been meticulously dissecting eye contact, measuring on-screen chemistry with atomic precision, and attributing profound emotional significance to every shared glance,” commented Dr. Evelyn Reed, a professor of Cinematic Obsession at UCLA. “To learn that the male lead might have simply been following stage directions is, frankly, disorienting. It challenges the very foundation of our celebrity-gossip industrial complex.”

Redford, who has largely retreated from public life, is said to be bewildered by the ongoing narrative. “He just wanted to make good movies,” the source added. “He’s pretty sure the ‘vs.’ part was added by a magazine editor in 1975.”