Julia Roberts Says George Clooney Could Be 3-Time Sexiest Man Alive — with a Few Caveats

Should George Clooney be named PEOPLE's Sexiest Man Alive for a record third time? Well, duh.

"Yes! Third time's a charm," says Julia Roberts, vouching for her longtime close friend and costar in the new romantic comedy, Ticket to Paradise.

Despite the vote of support for the sexy title hat-trick, both Roberts, 54, and Clooney, 61, have a few caveats.

"I need it a little more specific," says the Oscar-winning actor, who was the magazine's honoree in 1997 and 2006. "Sexiest Batman Alive."

Adds Roberts: "Sexiest Man, once a Batman."

"Sexiest Man, once a Batman, over 60," Clooney continues.

"… who still has all his own teeth," concludes Roberts.

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Support for his three-peat chances aside, Clooney has had a friend for life in Roberts — and vice versa — since the two met in 2000 ahead of shooting Ocean's Eleven.

"This was just easy," recalls Clooney of forging a fast friendship on the Vegas heist film 22 years ago.

"That's how it felt with George," says Roberts. "You just kind of go, 'All right' … He's one of my people now."

For more on Julia Roberts and George Clooney, listen below to our daily podcast PEOPLE Every Day.

The superstar duo stayed close over the years and went on to costar in four films together after Oceans.

"We have a similar approach to life," says the Oscar-winning actress.

Off-screen, they've witnessed each other's sweetest milestones: finding life partners and raising children (Roberts shares 17-year-old twins Hazel and Phinnaeus, and son Henry, 15, with her husband, cinematographer Danny Moder, 53; George and wife Amal, 44, a human rights lawyer, are parents to 5-year-old twins Ella and Alexander).

"Our lives expand in these beautiful ways," says Roberts, known as "Aunt Juju" to the Clooney kids. Still, she adds: "We are the same goofy nuts we've always been."

Goofy, sure, but don't forget: sexy.

Ticket to Paradise is in theaters Friday.

For more of the interview with Julia Roberts and George Clooney, pick up this week's issue of PEOPLE, on stands Friday.