First of all, does that tank have “DONG” written on it? Yes, I’m pretty sure it does. Rather on point, I think. Anyway, these are some photos from the Fort Irwin National Training Center in Fort Irwin, Calif. Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lerman, and Jon Bernthal met with soldiers and spent time at the training facility last week – apparently, they even spent the night on Wednesday too. They were doing research for a film called Fury, which is described by IMDB as “A crew of Americans in Nazi Germany toward the end of World War II embark on a brave mission.” And Hollywood’s nostalgia for all things WWII continues. The local paper had some more information, and as you can see, the trip was well-documented by photographers:
FORT IRWIN • Hollywood actors Brad Pitt and Shia LaBeouf spent two days at the National Training Center this week doing research for future movie roles, according to Fort Irwin spokesman Gus Bahena.
Pitt will star in the World War II film “Fury” alongside the Transformer’s star LaBeouf, according to multiple reports. The film is scheduled to be released in November 2014.
“It was a unit-sponsored event with just a small group of soldiers in the field,” Bahena said about the visit. “They talked about the mission of the NTC, what those particular soldiers do and the soldiers’ experience and background. There was no official meet-and-greet.”
The two actors spent the night at Fort Irwin on Wednesday and embedded with the Operations Group for the full day on Thursday, he said.
The Ops Group is a permanent unit at Fort Irwin responsible for facilitating training of the rotating units. The Ops Group observes, controls and gives after-training reviews. Bahena said the timing of the stars’ visit was fitting because Friday marks the last day of training for rotating units until September.
On Fort Irwin’s official Facebook page, an NTC official posted: “They’re only here for a brief visit to observe the complex training environment that the National Training Center has to offer. We will respect their purpose and their privacy for being here and appreciate that they are seeking interest in our mission at the NTC.”
There might not have been an official meet-and-greet, but from the looks of things, the actors did spend a lot of time posing with military fans and shaking hands and generally being nice to soldiers. Which is awesome, and I’m glad they did that. Shia seems like he was a little “extra” but he always seems like that. I don’t know if he had his combat uniform made up or if Fort Irwin gave that to him and he just decided to wear it. Anyway, enjoy the photos. I think Brad’s wearing a little too much jewelry for a trip to a military base, but I bet many of those soldiers were really jazzed to meet him.
Pitt has and always had a great body that he often hide under large clothes.
I like necks and usually that’s where you can’t hide how aging/damaged your skin is, but his neck is sexy and youthfull as hell.
I was seriously going to say the same thing! On a side note, my brother is stationed there. Damn!!! I would be a total fan girl if I was there.
I just a side by side pic of Brad 2011 in tight tshirt compared to today. His has gained at lest 25#.I guess he bulked up for this role.TMZ has a pic of a big truck with a mobile gym leaving their house a few months ago.What’s funny NE has an article claiming he’s chunky based on baggy clothes pics.LOL
He was bulky too in Moneyball…sexy as hell.
Brad Pitt and three Jewish actors (Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, and Shia LaBeouf) in a WWII war movie – definitely resembles Inglourious Bast erds.
But it’s a more impressive cast.
This movie will be so good even with shia ledouche.
This looks like it could be very good- Shia does seem like he may be going “method” with the uniform…at least he hasn’t started a twitter war with Brad- not that Brad would ever have an account. That last picture of Brad on top of the tank- yum!! Yeah, he’s old, but he has such a presence even in soldier’s candid facebook/flicker album.
I’m not a huge fan of Shia’s but I love that he was in uniform and had his hair short like the soldiers. I’m sure they appreciated it and I’m sure it was hard to pick him out of the crowd dressed like that. Nice move.
i misread it as “a crew of hippies in Nazi Germany”.
ha- maybe…then Brad won’t have to cut his hair! BTW- If you haven’t seen WWZ in 3D, DO IT!! It’s totally worth it- I had seen it in 2D and really enjoyed it. I normally am not that impressed with 3D, but so many people told me I HAD to see it in 3D. They were absolutely right and I loved the movie even more the 2nd time around!
William Bradley Pitt can do no wrong in my eyes. *Sigh* I LOVE that man *0*
Brad is only wearing a ring and necklace. I don’t think it’s too much especially since he’s an actor not a serviceman.
Agreed! Even if he was dripping in jewelry, he’s on a CONUS base, not one in Bagram. Plus, and more importantly, our soldiers are not refugees. They’re not some disenfranchised group that one needs to be tiptoe careful around. You don’t need to dail it down to go on base. That’s just silly. Clearly the author has never met any officer’s wives!
Officer’s wives love the bling?
He’s so hot.
Brad looks good in that tshirt.WWZ is at $259 million worldwide in 10 days
Kim not sure who is right. but Deadline is reporting 263 million..
regardless it is doing great and I’m thrilled for Brad and Company.
I’m sure the naysayers will spin it, but I love when they are WRONG.
And yes he does look hot. That picture of him reminds me of that first still released of him in Inglorious Basterds. He looks amazing in military garb.
Shia has been training for some time. He has been tweeting about it. Brad just arrived there on the 26th.
Looking forward to this.
Saw WWZ on Friday night. Haven’t seen Brad in a movie in a while, so my only exposure is here, and honestly…. he hasn’t been looking too great in pics for a while now (IMO.) I was not expecting him to be sexy in the movie.
He was.
Not sure why he looks so much better in action than in the still photos I see of him all the time, but daaaaayum. He was looking good.
Also, side note: the movie was INTENSE!
@Brown …
Yep! “World War Z” is definitely a good old school ‘intense’ thriller. Just proves the point that you don’t need gallons of blood, guts, and brainzz to scare the heck out of people, doesn’t it?
Well done, Brad … well done! 🙂
OMG- I know exactly what you are talking about…I thought he was going more schlubby old dad than LOTF, BUT there is something VERY, VERY hot about brad in dad mode. Lucky Angie! Also, that scene where he walking down a certain long hallway towards the end- sizzling!
I am digging the blond in the 5th picture. Those military guys have crazy bodies.
I was wondering where Shia was and then…Oh, there he is wearing a military uniform. Oh my lord, he is too extra.
That movie was good 🙂
Oh Brad. So disappointed in the political message propagated by WWZ – that the Israeli segregation wall is a good thing? It’s a shame Brad put his name to such a propaganda-loaded film.
You know it is a movie right?
I guess the movie is making money so now this is the new angle to try and be negative..
Yes I realize it’s a movie. Movies influence the public psyche much more than academia or even the news. The way in which issues are framed in cultural productions matters and zombie-washing a military occupation was clearly a political choice by the script writers.
As my name said, NO SPOILERS (yes, I’m a Dr Who fan), but you realize that they were letting EVERYBODY in- Jews, Muslims, etc. When Brad/Gerry realized this and said, “You are letting everybody in?” the Mossad dude goes, “Everyone we save is ONE LESS ZOMBIE to fight.” I thought that is a beautiful metaphor for justifying how we should act as a society as a whole- income inequality, anyone? Humanitarian causes, IMO, are so simple to “defend” using common sense- like they did right here. Can’t hide forever, though…which brings us to Cardiff
I was listening to a radio chat show online. And they are die hard horror guys/girls. And surprisingly they all liked the film a great deal 5 opinions that don’t usually agree on anything.
One of the things they noted was how they liked that people were actually helping each other. Yes there were those that were doing the usual. But for the most part the world was not morally going to the dogs. People were doing what we do in a disaster. Pulling together. I really loved that. And another thing.. strange in a way.. but it feels like a family film.. I know but I saw a lot of parents with their kids in the theater. And kids under 10 actually. I know people get worried. But I was a kid that loved to be scared; my siblings too. And it was intense without all the blood and graphic violence that people complain about all the time.
Plus, (SPOILER ALERT) I understand the wall comes down/doesn’t work in the end. So to me, the message was clearly the opposite.
Segregation from Zombies is a bad thing?
Shall we start the Zombie Anti-Defamation League?
LOL
Deebo was referring to e Israeli separation wall which separates Palestinians from other Palestinians/Israelis.
Deebo, from my understanding (I haven’t seen the movie yet), the separation wall in the movie is not the same one that is erected now. The one in the movie was erected during the movie because of the zombies, as I understood. I could be wrong though.
I’ve heard a lot of differing opinions on the movie, how politically propaganda it is. I haven’t seen it so I can’t judge but the book was far from a propaganda book. Although minor annoyance that they have supposedly cut out the civil war from Israel. I feel like this would have fleshed out the mentality, less politically-motivated if they included that in the movie.
Wow they have really built up the box since my time in the desert. I am not surprised that there are so many candids with families because garrison at Ft. Irwin is tiny. The training area is huge but garrison is very small. I did not get to work with anyone like Brad Pitt while I was stationed there, just the Govenator and Carl Weathers whomp whomp.
SouperKay– Thank you for your service!
Lisa2– I noticed that about acts of kindness. I am a huge fan of the book, too. Yes, the book is different from the movie (when isn’t it- different medium), but themes such as this one- how it just practical to be decent- are fully intact in the movie and the book. Because of the timeline of the movie, I look at as almost a prequel to the book.
I’m sure a lot of people will be happy now because he will have to cut his hair to play a soldier.
Lol. Guess I would be one of those people,then. 🙂 Finally!
lmao…I was going to say “WWII? that means he’ll finally cut that greasy mop!”
in all seriousness, I have no problem with guys who have long hair, as long as they keep it groomed, just like we’d expect from a woman.
I mean, if a woman had appeared on the red carpet with long hair the way HE wore it at a couple of premiers, she’d have been cut to pieces.
but here? his unkempt hair looks fine for the situation he’s in.
Oh Brad, you know I love you, but … cheeks! What is happening with this situation? That being said, he still looks good (fantastic for a 49-year-old, actually) and he always carries his clothes effortlessly.
A few months ago, maybe even during filming of WWZ, he was kind of thin, maybe not too much. Maybe he is gaining in the face as he is getting older? He still has a great body. I have never seen him chubby, buff, like in Troy, yes.
His younger brother is cute and not thick, and he still has a chubbier face, thn his dad, older William Pitt.
For the love of… I saw once pics of him mom and dad when they were young and with baby Brad. His father had such a slim face, very handsomein a cocky kind of way, now he has such a chub face!. If I find them again I’ll post the link.
Yes, please, thanks! So it’s genetic? They really just get bigger in the face as they get older? Oh noes. Please, universe, do not let him get jowly!
ETA: andrea/drea, same person. I keep forgetting to change the default stuff when I’m on the laptop/ipad.
His body looks great. His arms. WoW I am very happy WWZ is doing so well, at the BO. It was #1 globally with $ 70 million million this weekend.
$259 mil so far and counting. I hope everyone who predicted this movie would bomb is choking on crow. Lol and Mel, are you guys listening?
i don´t think he is wearing too much jewelry….
99.99 of sites can’t post about Brad or Angie without SOMETHING negative- it’s like a law. More likely the result of them having no PR. All these other “stars” who get all the glowing praise for going to a store opening, a fashion show, etc. get all the “nice” press and adjectives because their PR writes it up for the press.
I guess it’s personal preference, but I can’t stand necklaces on men…thick gold chains especially. Blech. Kills the hot. OMG, I hope he does cut his hair though. IMO, he’s much sexier with shorter hair. Even as he ages, shorter hair looks better.
Military folk who are frequently deployed away from their families understand wearing mementoes of children and loved ones people wear on travel.
THAT I can understand and can allow for. But not on gold chains. A plastic chains, a nylon loop thing, the dog/army tag-chain thing armed forces people wear, leather something, anything. But gold chains … no, I just can’t. But I am not a fan of gold to begin with.
ANYway, it’s not like my opinion matters to him!
Shia has a uniform because he spent most of June embedded with the Oregon National Guard who was training in Boise, ID. He posted several vids and pictures on his twitter site – @thecampaignbook. Shia has been shadowing a pastor who works with the Oregon National Guard and according to more than a few twitter messages I have read he is also going to church now. Obsessive maybe but since this is a good obsession you can stop harassing him about it.
This trip was the just the rest of the actors spending a couple of days in Fort Irwin at NTC.
Can you actually be “embedded” in Boise?? Does it still count? 🙂
lol @ the Chipmunk Cheeks. Could they have put any more filler in there? Jeez!
He has WAY too many wrinkles for fillers. It’s called getting OLD- look forward to it, if you aren’t already there. Genetics play a big role, too- Brad’s face is like his Dad’s. In pictures, you can see the Bill Pitt was more “chiseled” as a young man and got pudgy & saggy as he got older. Still handsome IMO. All Brad’s immediate family seems to struggle with their weight but him, so, hopefully, he will a bit less round. Angie’s “face” genes seem to be following her father- his face got more & more gaunt as he got older. It will be interesting to see how their bio kids age.
Brad looks great, I don’t see any ‘beer gut’ that some posters were saying he had recently lol.
And thankfully he will probably have to cut his hair for the film, so the haters will have to find something new to b!tch about 😆 .
When he gets haircut they will focus on his wrinkles.
Well we know with Brad they will come up with something. I mean this thread had that he was wearing too much jewelry. Seriously. in most of the pictures you can’t even see them. And the service men/women that took pics with him didn’t seem to care. They were glad he was there.
Brad Pitt and three Jewish actors (Logan Lerman, Jon Bernthal, and Shia LaBeouf) in a war movie – definitely resembles that other World War II movie with Brad Pitt.
But it’s a more impressive cast.
We were stationed at Ft. Irwin about 14 years ago. Fun fact: It’s affectionately referred to as “It’s not the end of the world, but you can see it from here.”
Hotter than hell. Quite literally. Nice to see stuff like this though. And I have no doubt that the word “dong” is proudly emblazoned on that tank. Many troups train there before they are sent downrange (Afghanistan).
If you follow Shia’s twitter @thecampaignbook, he spent 3 weeks at a base in Boise so that’s why he has the uniform. He had started to do research before any of the other actors that are going to be in Fury.
Ugh another World War 2 movie? Can’t people just watch Saving Private Ryan again?
Well if that was the ONLY story to be told YEAH. but believe it or not there are a lot of amazing stories that are still yet to be told.
looking forward to this one.
My son is stationed there, he said they are really nice guys. No big entourage, and respectful.