I’ve been trying to track down the original source of this Brad Pitt quote, and I can’t find it. Which means that it might not be true. Or maybe Brad Pitt was misquoted or he completely fabricated this. So why cover it? Because if Brad really did say this, it’s a very interesting take on the casting of 12 Years a Slave.
First of all, director Steve McQueen loves Michael Fassbender and Fassbender, to his credit, adores McQueen. They have worked together in every one of McQueen’s films, from Hunger to Shame to 12 Years a Slave. Fassbender gives McQueen his best performances. So I believed – and I think McQueen has said as much – that Fassbender was always McQueen’s first choice to play Edwin Epps, the sadistic slave owner who tortures and brutalizes his slaves. But Brad Pitt just claimed (maybe?) that McQueen offered HIM the role first:
Brad Pitt turned down the role of a malevolent slave owner in self-produced drama ’12 Years A Slave’ fearing the role will have a negative impact on his six children.
The 50-year-old star instead took a relatively smaller role of a decent Canadian worker in the Steve McQueen directed movie, which has been nominated in nine categories at the Oscars including the best picture and best director.
“I didn’t want my kids to see me in this role,” Pitt told Mirror.
The role of the plantation owner and cruel slave master Mr Epps was eventually played by Michael Fassbender, who has previously collaborated with McQueen on ‘Shame.
Set in the nineteenth century, ’12 Years a Slave’ is the real life story of Solomon Northup a free man in New York who is kidnapped and sold into slavery. ’12 Years a slave’ is one of the most buzzed films in the lead up to the Oscars. The film bagged the Golden Globe Award for Best Picture Drama.
I could see why Brad would refuse the role, and I doubt that it was merely because he didn’t want his children to see him that way. The Epps character is a particularly and notably horrendous villain because – unlike so many love-to-hate film villains – the Epps character has no “winks” to the audience. There is no humor, no soul, no redeeming value to Epps. He’s a mundane, banal, stupid and cruel villain, and therefore he’s horribly realistic. It’s a difficult role and I couldn’t imagine that Brad would have been able to bring anything interesting to the character – as much as Brad wants to think of himself as a character actor, he’s really not. He can’t play the villain like this. Fassbender excelled at it, and I’m still really angry at Michael for throwing away his chance at winning an Oscar for his performance.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
I doubt it. McQueen loves Fassbender and Brad isn’t nearly as good of an actor as Michael.
I agree on both counts. However, we have to consider the possibility/probability that directors are not ultimately responsible for casting. This would be especially likely with a director like McQueen, who isn’t really a big name in the US. I’m sure that McQueen wanted Fassbender and nobody else, certainly not an acting mediocrity like Pitt, but it may well have been that the film’s producers wanted a ‘big name’ in a more prominent role. So there may be some truth in what Pitt is saying.
But isnt Brad the films producer? If someone fought for him to get this role then it would be himself/his company.
I think we are ignoring a more likely scenerio which is Brad saw the role and thought it could be an award-type role for himself and was then talked off the role by McQueen who would probably have had Fassy in mind from the beginning anyway. How do you talk you movie star producer off a role? By convincing him that you really want him but he himself no longer wants it because it would harm his kids.
Yes, that’s a good point and a plausible scenario. I think Brad is only one of several producers, however.
I think that film had a million producers if I am not mistake from one of those round table things with Dede ?? But I agree that it’s not solely up to the producer I bet there are several factors invloved.
I think we also have to consider that this story is just true.
Brad was producing, talked to McQueen, kicked around what his involvement might ultimately be and decided against the part for whatever reason. While there are others on the production team, non of them are famous actors and a bankable name is a very good thing in getting a film made.
McQueen likes Fassey but I didn’t know they were married or something.
I remember reading that when Plan B (Brad’s production company) came onboard the project, he took a role in order to get the international funding in place. Someone overseas (South America, I think?) tweeted a picture of the international poster in a movie theater, and it is seriously just a picture of Brad Pitt’s face.
I could believe that it was AT LEAST discussed that Brad Pitt, the famous movie star, take the largest role for a white actor in the film; I can also believe that after discussing it with McQueen, he decided/was convinced against it.
I also don’t think Pitt is anywhere near as brave an actor as Fassbender. Fassbender takes risky roles-in fact he seems to gravitate towards them. Pitt’s career has been largely based on playing likable, if sometimes quirky, characters.
Those are literally the only two characters he plays: himself or the quirky, eccentric guy (a la Fight Club).
TOK: Agree, but on the other hand Pitt is really underestimated as an actor. He’s not brilliant, but pretty fine.
Agree. Even when he takes a darker role, it’s never anything that could chip away at his image. I wouldn’t necessarily say he goes for likeable roles all the time, more that he doesn’t go for deeply unlikeable characters iykwim. Even Tom Cruise went there with Magnolia, but Brad seems to want to have his cake and eat it to; he wants the character roles but he wants to maintain his leading man image at the same time.
Knowing the kind of relationship these two have from their interviews, I’m pretty sure as soon as Steve read the book he knew he wanted Michael to play Epps. I remember hearing the interview that was done after it was shown in Toronto. One of the questions Steve was asked was, “Did Brad Pitt ever consider taking the role of Epps?”. Steve’s response, “I don’t think it was his to consider”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qbHVhXlbYWA
starting at 26:25 actually the whole thing is quite revealing as far as Steve. The kinds of questions he is asked and his expression is quite humorous. To me it seems he is annoyed with some of the questions.
So Steve likes to have control of his films as much as possible. Some journalists have a negative opinion of Steve but I think mostly they don’t understand that he is just being honest. In another interview I read, the journalist tells Steve he is different than what he imagined because of what he had heard about him. Steve asks what he has heard, the guy just says word after negative word. That was a really fun interview. I don’t remember where I read it though so I cannot provide a link.
Brad wanted the the only white, nice guy role in the whole movie. Besides he has limiting acting range, he would have never been able to pull Fassbenders or Danos role off.
Is it just me or is this guy terribly bloated and ugly in the face. He and DiCaprio should be in a movie called the bloated brothers.
That’s not even funny. Why attack? Can’t you just state your opinion and move on without being catty?
It’s just you, jj. Just you.
@Sullivan, actually she isn’t. He looks freaking gross here.
Slander. Brad is a babe. His hair just isn’t his best in these shots.
To be honest Bradd Pitt is very limited in his acting, the only time he has ever convinced me was in ‘Legends of the Fall’
+1
+2
Pitt is not a limited actor
SEVEN? FIGHT CLUB? KALIFORNIA ? BABEL? JESSE JAMES? TREE OF LIFE?
he’s underrated because he’s too famous and was too pretty
His crying is convincing i will give him that,but he is meh and terrible at comedy that Friends episode he did was cringe inducing.
‘he’s underrated because he’s too famous and was too pretty’ then what about Matt Damon and Leo Dicaprio
Thanks for pointing out all those movies he was excellent in all of them – I actually love him joe black ALOT also lets not forget inglorious bastards
+1000
Brad is great Actor but, unfortunately people still see pretty/hot in Brad. I might be in the minority but I loved Brad in “Burn after Reading”.. He should’ve been nominated for an Oscar. Loved him in Fight Club and Moneyball.
Good looking, hot men don’t win Oscars in their prime .. Cary Grant, Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Richard Burton. He’ll most likely receive an honorary Oscar at 70 or an Oscar in his 60’s like Paul Newman (for a role he really didn’t deserved) but because they feel guilty that they didn’t give one out for their earlier work.
Agreed. He’s underrated. He’s had plenty of fine performances.
cs: Seriously, he was the best part in Burn After Reading! Hilarious! Definitely one of his best roles!
@Neffie, who wrote: “‘he’s underrated because he’s too famous and was too pretty’ then what about Matt Damon and Leo Dicaprio”
Leo DiCaprio left ‘pretty’ behind with “Titanic.” Now, he’s WAY too bloated, puffy, and flabby from drinking. And it really doesn’t matter ‘what’ Damon and DiCaprio look like … Brad (as much as I love him) isn’t in their league as an actor. I do, however, believe people ‘have’ tended to dismiss Brad Pitt as an actor for ‘years’ because of the ‘pretty.’
@Don’t Kill me, I’m French …
I’d add “Meet Joe Black” to the list of incredible acting roles for Brad Pitt. 🙂
God, he was such an idiot in ‘Burn After Reading’—I just sat there and laughed whenever he came onto screen.
@Emma
I still love me some Leo–he’s an amazing actor. My little sister thinks he’s so hot (I think just from Titanic though), but I never thought he was all that in Titanic–he was way too baby faced for me. He was at his peak in ‘The Departed’.
Add to that list GREAT CHARACTER turns also in Twelve Monkey’s and Snatch.
He may not excel at the kind of villain Fassy can be… but he can excel at a variety of character roles that most people don’t give him enough credit for.
I’m not a huge fan of Brad Pitt as an actor but he is capable of ‘extraordinary’ and Brad’s ‘extraordinary’ for me was his Early Grayce character in Kalifornia.
He’s no Fassbender but he’s still capable of ‘exceptional’.
I will go so far as to say that he’s very underrated for his talent as an actor. What gets him in trouble is that he needs a strong director to reign him in. Otherwise, he can fall into actor traps (where the audience can see him acting).
Leo is very good to great. He was so good in Gilbert Grape and Romeo and Juliet. He actually got me to understand Shakespeare. That movie, even with all the bells and whistles was amazing. Claire was great, but Leo was better. The Titanic, for me, was about the boat. James Cameron put the audience on that boat, it was just that real (for me).
I don’t find Matt particularly drop dead gorgeous (he’s handsome), but he’s a wonderful actor. Very versatile. Looking at his filmography, you’d be surprised at what he’s done. Starring roles, supporting roles. He’s truly a working actor. Love him to pieces.
He was terrible in that Jesse James movie, I laughed every time he was on screen.
He was very scary in Kalifornia, Killing Them Softly and Tree of Life. But no, I couldn’t see him as Epps. Fassbender did an excellent job and I think that it was largely due to him not having the superstar baggage that Brad has. One of the best things about Brad taking a back seat to everyone else in the cast of 12YAS is that the movie is about Solomon Northup, not about ‘how brave’ the ‘stars’ were to take on very unsympathetic characters. Roots suffers from that, although it still holds up as a compelling piece.
Plus, it wouldn’t make sense for Pitt to c*ckblock Fassbender, since Pitt has been a very vocal champion for Fassbender, and he has already assumed a supporting part while Fassbender was the lead in The Counselor.
Agree that Brad does not get the credit he deserves for his acting. He was chillingly brilliant in The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford and funny as hell in Burn After Reading, really making fun of his image with that role. He’s a true character actor with leading man looks and that’s always been his cross to bear.
Legends of The Fall. My favorite Brad Pitt film. Unforgettable.
I agree! Brad is too pretty so people don’t take him seriously.
Legends of the Fall is one of his worst movies imo. He has done tons of better work.Brad is a good actor, not a great actor but he can act.
Also, as a Canadian, his accent in the movie was..off?
I KNOW. He sounded like Mayor Quimby on the Simpson’s. We DO NOT sound like that AT ALL. But it made me laugh.
As a fellow Canadian that was my thought exactly…I don’t think he was even trying! Especially for that time period the accent probably would have been fairly British.
I think he’s OK in a lot of things, but has never really blown me away with a performance like some other actors have. He’s more Movie Star than Actor, if that makes any sense.
That said I don’t believe this story because as others have pointed out, he was a producer on the project.
Yes, that makes sense. I watch his movies because I want to see him, I’m not really expecting to be blown away by his performance.
I think he’s a good actor, not great. He’s fantastic at choosing projects though, that’s his real skill. He doesn’t have the talent to overcome a lousy project though, so when he does make a rare mistake on that front, he really sinks with the film.
When I watch him act, he often looks like he is grinding nuts with that jaw. Very distracting. Giggity.
He did have some good memorable roles though. I’m thinking Seven, Fightclub, Bastards and I oddly liked him in that Coen film. He is an ok actor in my opinion.
He consistently gets decent roles from excellent directors so he must be doing something good but he is no Marlon Brando or Robert DeNiro. Fassbender is most certainly a great actor and he picks out very daring roles.
I appreciate Pitt’s dedication to producing much more actually.
I also agree Pitt is very limited as an actor. But I loved him in Inglorious Bastards.
This.
At a TIFF press conference asked Steve McQueen if Brad Pitt considered taking the Fassbender role. He said “It wasn’t his to consider.” So there’s that.
End of discussion. And thank God.
Yep I saw that panel. And Steve McQueen doesn’t strike me as a guy who would make something like that up.
He seems like a straight shooter. And considering how close he is with Fassbender it’s hard to imagine anybody else would have been offered that part.
Thank you for this.
That man is wonderfully bitchy. I would love to gossip with him!
The whole interview is glorious. He just snarks all over the dumb questions he gets asked.
Yes! And it’s not just the answers, it’s the tone, the facial expression (ennui coupled with indifference). Like I’m watching some kind of dark comedy series.
I’ve read some people disliked him for that but honestly, he does his job well, shows up to shake hands and kiss the babies and he’s showing something real which is a rarity in that industry. I appreciate it.
I know, I think there was actually an article about it here on CB. Or I commented randomly on it when it happened. He gave that TIff moderator some of the most glorious side-eye. Her questions were very bad tho if I remember correctly.
IKR. I love him.
Steve McQueen is such an interesting guy. There is a Carey Mulligan interview from DP30 on You Tube, where she describes how he works and directs his actors. Its hilarious. I think Carey mentioned a couple of times that she would love to work with him again.
BTW Both McQueen and Pitt are producers on the movie.
Thank you Simmie! I was about to reference this as there is a wonderful gif set on tumblr where he is answers these dumb questions with such snark. I also love him for that. I actually saw him at a q and a last November for AFI Fest where once again the moderator was asking some dumb questions to the point where even the audience was like wtf and McQueen answered them in all his snark glory lol
Why is it so cool when he’s rude to someone asking dumb questions but Jennifer Lawrence is unprofessional and immature?
Oh sorry Simmie I just posted something above in regards to the same question at Toronto. A link is provided if anyone wants to hear this.
There is this thing in Hollywood where American actors won’t play ‘baddies’. Those roles are often played by foreigners (Christoph Waltz, Tom Hiddleston, Michael Fassbender etc.). Hollywood stars seem eager to avoid someone confusing them for their role, which could hurt their brand.
I disagree. If Brad Pitt thought it would get him an acting Oscar he would take it in a heartbeat.
Alex: I agree with Hannah. American actors, with very few exceptions, do not play the baddies in films. Any baddie roles they take on have to have some sort of redeeming quality such that they can’t *really* be bad. It’s a running joke in the industry.
What has happened to Brad’s face? It looks so horribly bloated.
+1. the makeup on the outside jaws isn’t contouring nothin’
The haircut is not helping. Attualmente all.
Its terrible really.
He has clearly work done.
I think that he looks better now than he has in a long time, work or no work. I suspect “work” but I don’t begrudge him or anyone else having work done.
He is currently shooting or he’s just wrapped a film role that required him to have more weight. He’ll lose it again for the next role and his face will go back to where it is supposed to be with the lower weight.
I do get why he started fillers, after looking so youthful for so long he suddenly started aging at what seemed like a very accelerated rate. He still looked good for his age, but I guess that was the problem…he actually looked his age after a decade of looking a decade younger than he was. But he doesn’t have a face for fillers, even subtle usage just makes him look so bloated. Plus the make-up he wears these days makes him look greasy. Combined it’s a really bad look.
I doubt this story. For one the source is questionable and for two Fassbender seems to be McQueen’s muse so he was most likely his first choice for the part. Also, that excuse would sound really dumb because wouldn’t his kids be grown by the time they are allowed to see such a movie? By than they be able to seperate acting from real life, it’s not like they’d be seeing it as children. Anyway sounds like a fake story.
It’s kind of an awkward comment to make. The actors who played evil roles in the film probably plan to show it to their future kids a very young age. Those people might even end up having some black kids as well! It’s a nonunique problem. I don’t get why Pitt muddied the waters with that comment, as I doubt he was up for the role, really.
Considering Brad Pitt was Exec Producer of 12 Years a Slave, I don’t see how this can be true.
I too am kinda upset that Mr. Fassbender didn’t campaign. I haven’t seen DBC but he was amazing(horrifying but amazing) in 12YAS that oscar could have been his! but i guess it would be nice if awards were just given for the best performances, but alas we don’t live in a perfect world.
Jared’s performance was on par with Fassbender’s IMO
I disagree. Fassbender performance is much more accomplished and difficult one. But Jared will win because he is campaigning with the determination of a Anne Hathaway, and his is sympathetic character plus he visual altered his person. Fassbenders character has no redeeming qualities, characters like that seldom win however good the acting is.
Albeit his work speaks for itself and he got those accolades fair and square, the other thing is even if he isn’t directly campaigning, someone else does it for him, the film producers, the studios etc.
And he’s been filming back to back all 2013, so I don’t blame for taking a break before starting filming again, according to schedule Macbeth starts filming in less than a week.
Oooh Macbeth. I can;t wait to see his Macbth. Hi Elodie, been to any cool hollywood things lately? Any more stories to make me totally jelly? Also I think that the fact that Leto’s character is a a sympathetic one makes it easier for the awards people to give them to him.
Hello! Well I’m attending the Berlin Film Festival next month, will se what happens in terms of anecdotes 🙂
Leto plays the campaign game really well but to be fair he was the best thing in Dallas Buyers Club, so it won’t be an upset if he wins. At least it gives us B-Coop and Jonah Hill stank faces when they lose so here is that…
Fassbender has gained my respect by not campaigning. The Oscars are a joke now. Why should someone win the award because they campaigned the “best” or the hardest? Shouldn’t it be about who had the greatest performance? (I know I know, it’s how the politics of Hollywood work) & yes, it’s sad he’s likely going to lose the Oscar, but good for him for not becoming an *ss kisser. Obviously acting means more to him than an award does.
The Oscars are a joke. Jennifer Lawrence is a good actress but 3 Oscar nods? That’s insane.
Actually, I think the movies are a joke. There’s only a handfull of films made that are award worth and only a handfull of actors who are appearing in them. The pool is just that small.
Couldn’t agree more. If you’ve got to campaign for a “best” award, my argument is you aren’t really the best.
I agree that overdoing it on campaigning is a “bad look,” but I think campaigning in a general sense is necessary. Especially for small films that don’t get adequate exposure through marketing and promotion. Just look at what happened to All is Lost. It’s one of the best films of 2013 and Redford’s performance in it is stellar. But the film and Redford’s performance have literally been forgotten during this awards season which is really unfortunate because no one is campaigning for it. Like it or not, campaigning is necessary, as it brings awareness and visibility to smaller pictures that might otherwise be forgotten.
Leto was good and I do think on par with Fassbender but different roles pull at different emotions. I cried at both and loved both but want Leto to win. This might be his only chance whereas Fassbender will no doubt have more opportunities. At the end of the day they are still with their big fat pay cheques Oscar or no Oscar.
Mo’Nique didn’t campaign and she won an Oscar. Leto won most of the critic’s awards,.
Oprah campainged for her, there is always someone who backs you up even if you don’t physically campaign, if the studios, producers and such really want you to get the awards nods, they campaign for you.
Brad only appeared in the film at all to get more funding for the film.He didnt want to be in film at all.His appearing in the film probably doubled the budget.That is a fake story from The Mirror tabloid
Thank You!!! This story is bogus. Brad never intended to be in TYAS at all. It was only in an attempt to secure more money for the film, which was granted once he signed on for small role. There’s no truth to this story.
….and the Mirror U.K. is known for its accuracy right?
Pitt is quoted directly. I doubt they’re making it up.
IMO, this is a must seen movie, it’s beautiful, powerful thought provoking and all the actors did a great job. It’s a must see movie and it will stay with you for a very long time.
Where is the quote of him saying he was offered or refused the role? Funny how you believe a British tabloid regarding Saint Brad,as you call him.I will keep that in mind when the tabloid stories come out about other celebs in a few hours.
The fact is Steve has been trying to get TYAS made for years,Fassbender is his muse and was always going to be Epps.The film would not have been made without Plan B since no one else was interested.
” Funny how you believe a British tabloid regarding Saint Brad,as you call him.I will keep that in mind when the tabloid stories come out about other celebs in a few hours.”
No need for the personal remarks, thank you very much. All I’m saying is that Pitt is quoted directly in the article. If they were going to make something up about him, I reckon they’d go for something a bit more scandalous than him having been offered a supporting role in a film.
Yes, he is quoted directly, but question was different and the answer was taken out of context. It is from an old Q&As form Toronto festival or Telluride festival, I can’t recall now because I saw it months ago, but someone asked him if he would considered playing role like Epps. That’s when he answered that he wouldn’t want his kids to see him in this role. It was a hypothetical question and hypothetical answer. Offering and declining of the role was never mentioned, and it’s total fabrication of the tabloid.
I will point out that you can’t stand Saint Brad.It’s a fact so OWN it
The St. Angie and St. Brad references are rather obnoxious on every Brad or Angelina story. Why are you making it seem people are using them, when you are the only one?
LOL!! You think they don’t make up quotes? How cute.
It was never meant for Brad to be in it. He agreed to a small part that wouldn’t take him long to film to get more financial backing.
Doubt this is true–McQueen and Fassbender have a bromance for the ages.
I don’t know if Brad would’ve been able to do it–he has played interesting characters, but I think his voice would’ve ruined it for me. In a film full of actors with completely different accents from their own, Brad sounded too much like himself–my opinion, at least.
Yeah I agree. I think Pitt is a decent actor but he would not be right for this role. As was pointed out above, McQueen said the role wasn’t Pitt’s to take anyway. Fassy has always been McQueen’s right hand man.
I think because some people need an opening always to put him down. As if Brad has not had good movies and performances. Whatever.
Brad is very talented. Has made memorable characters that people still talk about and remember. One of the things I notice about his movies is he is the one that is always talked about after it is all said and done.
he took a role to get the film made. End of story.
Yes, people will say oh Brad isn’t that great of an actor BUT he was awesome in Snatch or he was awesome in Fight Club etc. Obviously he’s a better actor than we give him credit for if he’s had so many memorable rolls.
That’s the thing, littlestar. I find Brad to be a very good actor because he (for me at least) elevates whatever material he is in. That’s what I like to see whenever I watch a movie. Same with Angelina–I get that a lot of people don’t think that she can really play anything other than crazy. But I love her acting because she has charisma. And even if the movie itself is bad, or even mediocre, I love it because she elevates it. The only movie of hers that I watched and didn’t like was ‘Life or Something like it’. For me, she is often the best thing in the movie–like ‘Alexander’.
Very few people are so talented that they can play any kind of role–like Meryl, DDL, Gary Oldman. And even then, I’m sure you could find some kind of a ‘flaw’ in their acting. How many roles has DDL taken that wasn’t Oscar-baity i.e. had him completely transform himself? How many tortured, artist types has Gary Oldman played? How many ‘straight’ characters has he played, compared?
When I say a person can’t act, I mean they have absolutely no depth to their acting, no charisma whatsoever.
Agree completely.
Fassy also has that intense side to him that means you could believe him in the role. I don’t think Pitt could have carried it off with the same levity.
I think the whole Brad Pitt-ness of him would have been the main problem for me. He’s a fine enough actor, but I think his movie star profile is so high that it’s difficult to completely see him as his characters anymore. A role as important and tricky as Epps is better left to someone who’s not quite as familiar to audiences and who doesn’t bring as much of his own personal to a role (obviously Fassbender is fairly high profile as well, but not anywhere near the level that Pitt is).
I haven’t seen the movie yet. I’m almost done with the book though. (Yes, I know it’s a very short book, but I have a child and it’s hard to find time to read!) I actually cried last night after reading how Epps treated his slaves. It was awful. I’m not sure how I’m going to handle seeing this story in live action when I finally get to watch the movie!
This story has been refuted so many times it’s ridiculous.
You really have to wonder why these kinds of stories seem to surface every time good things are said about Brad Pitt (he generated a ton of good press and good will this past weekend) and more importantly – who plants them.
It’s comes across as just another attempt to generate ill will towards this man and by extension, his family.
+111111111111
Thank you ITA
This +1 billion!
Good point Bea. The press get away with so much, especially in the UK. Any time a celebrity is riding high they try to take them down. It’s happens again and again., and even more so with female stars.
There are a lot of roles in this film I could see many actors turning down — in particular that first cruel plantation guy Solomon runs into and Solomon ends up whipping him. But the actor has to sing that awful song. Just yikes…
Paul Dano. He was monstrous, and he played it so well.
Dano is very talented, one of the best young actors around IMHO. Never forget him holding his own next to DDL in There will be Blood. He was amazing in Prisoners and Ruby Sparks too. Very versatile, he can do comedy and drama.
Good grief, if only anyone would take a bit on interest of Q&A and actors interviews…. Steve McQueen has always wanted to Fassbender for the Epps role and he sent the script to him, Fassbender said “whatever you say Steve, I’m in”.
Also the reason why Brad Pitt is in the film is because the last part of money needed to make TYAS, he wanted to produce it only, but the other producers said they would back the movie up if he appeared in it, hence that 5min cameo he did. So there is that too.
Brad is turning into John Goodman… his lower face is getting huge!
OMG…you nailed it!
It’s almost a square box. Reminds me of a really mean cop! Not a good look.
THANK YOU! That’s who he’s been reminding me of lately…that’s been driving me nuts.
He’s probaby producing his own slavery movie:
Plantation Z
I really hope that” joke” is referring to WWZ
To me, it’s more interesting how little campaigning Brad has done for the film. When Clooney is a producer, he works the campaign trail like his life depends on it e.g. Argo. Brad only started campaigning for the movie this past weekend. It’s interesting that no one mentions his absence.
Brad has been in England filming Fury for the last 4 months .Also he’s been traveling to Australia to be with his family. Clooney doesnt have a family(partner/kids) and probably wasnt filming at the time.No shade
I think there was wide spread criticism for the possiblity that Brad would upstage the actors and the story. He’s given them the spotlight.
What are you suggesting by pointing it out?
Campaigning isn’t done by one person only or RC only. There is alot that happens behind closed doors.
Brad and Angie are “damned if they do, damned if they don’t.” They just can’t win. When they haven’t been seen in public for awhile, the headlines read “They’ve Split! It’s Over!” When they eventually surface with the kids en route to a park or on vacation, it’s considered a publicity stunt. Lainey has been complaining for the past few weeks that Brad hasn’t been doing his job this awards season by campaigning for the film. But if had been, I’m sure she’d be whining about Brad stealing the spotlight from Chiwetel, Lupita and Steve. That’s just the constant double standard that happens to these two and the fans that follow them know this. Thank goodness they’re able to ignore it all.
And as another commenter stated, Brad’s been in England since September (with a few holiday breaks he spent in Oz) filming Fury. That production only wrapped last week. So I don’t know how much campaigning Lainey expected him to be doing since he was on set nearly five months.
I don’t believe the story but if he had been offered the role I don’t think he would have taken it for exactly that reason. One of his children is black, and so are two of his nephews.
I doubt this is true.
However, I do think BP is a solid enough actor (he’s not ‘the greatest actor ever’, but he can be good in the right role and his charisma gets him a long way as well) but he most definitely would NOT have been right for the role. So the right actor was definitely cast in the end.
I do not know if this story is right or wrong, but I wish brad take amean charcture like edwin one day and i believe he will prove so many people who underestimatd him wrong .
Why I am saying this… please watch brad pitt part in tree of life.
He scared the hell out of me and I hoped he is not that agressive with his own kids too that effective he was.
Many people blame brad but you have to know directors are very important in getting the best of their actors.
Well people go on and on putting down Brad’s acting talent but at the end if the day – he has been nominated for Academy Awards 5 times.
Yeah, I don’t buy this for a second. Fassbender is pretty clearly McQueen’s muse, and I think it’s equally as clear that Epps is the right role for him.
I think more highly of Brad Pitt’s acting than a lot of other people commenting, but I don’t think it’s very likely he was seriously considered for that role.
That hair is not a good look for Brad he looks like he could John Goodman’s much thinner son.
Maybe he didn’t take the part because he wanted to be a ally in a film dealing with the sensitive nature of race relations. Having an Ethiopian daughter and Asian sons, it was probably not a good choice even if it’s only acting. Definitely wouldn’t want the image of him raping a black woman on screen; his daughter may one day watch. He’s not the best actor, but I think he has enough talent to pull it off.
I’m a fan, so I’m biased, but I do think Brad Pitt’s a much better actor than he gets credit for, primarily because of his looks and laid back attitude AND because of some of the fluffy roles he’s played. To me, though, he’s got a certain something and I’ve pretty much enjoyed every single thing that I’ve seen him in. I mean, Thelma and Louise for his breakout? All the way to Tree of Life? He’s got a certain style, and I agree that the quality of the movie and director, and the type of role he chooses makes a big difference to how well he pulls off a role, but that applies to a lot of actors. Does he make good choices? No…that Troy movie was AWFUL and embarrassing, oh my Lord, why did he do that one? As for other actors, some roles just don’t suit him. Just like some jobs don’t suit me…can I do corporate law? Nope. But that doesn’t mean I’m a lousy employee…I’m just not suited for some jobs because of the nature of those jobs.
But ya know, guy’s got stamina, has been successful for a long time, and for a movie star, he’s make some interesting acting choices, so to my mind, I don’t write him off.
As to the 12 Years question, I thought I read somewhere a while back that Pitt was a big fan of Fassbender and something…I got the sense that he’d know Fassbender was a better choice for that role.
Hmmm, this doesn’t sound true. Brad and Plan B got this film made. If he really wanted the role, he would have taken it–it would not have had to have been “offered” to him. I think he was smart enough as a producer and an actor to know it wasn’t right for him. Similar situation with The Departed. He bought the rights to Infernal Affairs a long time ago with the intention of starring in the Hollywood version. But in the end, he made the smart producer’s choice and opted out in favor of a younger Matt Damon.
The last 9 years for Brad on film has been spot on. Babel, Jesse James, Burn After Reading. Ben Button, Tree Of Life. Moneyball, Killing Them Softly, Inglorious Basterds.. Not a miss step. And the critics have been very positive for all of these performances.. and others not listed.
I don’t understand why if Brad is such a terrible actor some of the people here are still paying money to see him on screen. And please don’t say I went to see this or that film for so and so. Brad is a STAR Actor. If it is a brad film then you go to see him.
anyway something fun for the Fans. I know the non fans won’t care to hear this. It is positive about him
These are some interviews from a girl that flew to Sydney with Brad.. LOL. funny because this is what happens when people meet them (he or Angie).. they get there 15 minutes of fame.. Once again never heard anyone that has met either say anything negative.
she is cute.. I thing she has gone on a I sat next to Brad Pitt tour.. The men are gushing more than the women.. haahahah
http://youtu.be/4qp4H9jUxCc
http://youtu.be/_D2GJ1B9jLc
http://youtu.be/EiVyhoHcAQY
Enjoy.. she kind of calls BS on some of the crap some people love to say about him.. hmmm
Thanks for posting that, very cute interviews :).
>>He’s a mundane, banal, stupid and cruel villain, and therefore he’s horribly realistic<<
This is the reason I didn't think his character was "realistic" at all, or a well-fleshed out character in the slightest. He was a cartoon villain.
Really? I loathe cardboard characters of any kind and hate to hear it. If there’s one thing Fassbender usually does, it’s give his characters depth.
I don’t think Pitt is a horrible actor (he’s miles ahead of his partner in that regard), but a lot of his success has more to do with the director of the film and who he’s paired with. For example, I went to see Benjamin Button several years ago and liked it, but I had to look away a few times out of embarrassment for Pitt. His saving grace was having Cate there to elevate the scene. Or the CGI to help him “act”. He has charisma, and honestly he seems like a nice guy. But ultimately, he’s overrated by his fans. To the people who argue that he’s the reason anyone would see a film with him in it: ??? Really? I love fight club, and I love the character Tyler Durden, and he was hot, as he was meant to be. But Pitt flubs his lines and forces a maniacal laugh one-too-many times in that movie, and it nearly killed my love of Edward Norton and Helena Bonham Carter. Truth is, I’ve NEVER seen a Pitt movie where I didn’t wince on his behalf at least once. The man means well, but he desperately needs propping up from his co-stars in order to be bearable. That said, he picks good projects (apart from WWZ. What an epic disaster) and I appreciate him using his inflated celebrity status to get movies like “Slave” produced. He should stick to that. And he and his partner desperately NEED to stay. the hell. away from accent work. EVER.
Was just thinking the other day what an amazing job Dano did in 12YOS. Great performance – so underrated. In my mind though, Dano’s character was worse than Epps. He seemed just evil whereas of course Epps was evil too, but you could actually see th conflict and torment, mixed with hatred, in Epps’ eyes.
As electrified with Fassbender’s acting as I am (and as much I look forward to seeing his performance as Epps) I would have liked to have seen Pitt push out of his comfort zone and attempt it. Part of me thinks he might have very well pulled it off (as long as he forewent that awful, obnoxious accent he adopted for “Inglorious Basterds”).
But as others have noted, McQueen and Fassbender are pretty tight, so I doubt Pitt was even a consideration in the first place.