I’ve stared at this GQ Australia cover of Brad Pitt for a solid minute. What’s going on here? He’s not Photoshopped to cartoon-levels and you can see his wrinkles and all of that, yet… something seems slightly “off.” I can’t put my finger on it. Otherwise, it’s a nice photo. Brad covers GQ Australia because he’s promoting Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which is out on July 26th. I wonder how extensive this promotional tour will be for Brad – how many in-depth interviews? One or none? Because this GQ Australia piece is so light, it might just float away. Some highlights:
Working with Leo DiCaprio: “We kind of popped at the same time. This is a guy who’s really giving and really goes for it, so you know it’s great fun being able to spar with that calibre of actor. And he’s just great fun.”
Meeting Burt Reynolds (before Burt passed away): “I did get to meet Burt Reynolds and that was really moving for me because I grew up with Burt Reynolds’ films. We had two days of rehearsal with him and just to sit and talk lm and he was just… you know, they say don’t meet your heroes but he was just so gracious and kind. And still just funny as f–k.”
On his acting career: “I’m behind the camera on the producing side and I enjoy that a lot. But I keep doing less and less. I really believe that overall it’s a younger man’s game – not that there aren’t substantial parts for older characters – I just feel, the game itself, it’ll move on naturally. There will be a natural selection to it all.”
The future of film: “But I’m curious to see what the future of film is, what shape it takes. I really appreciate the streaming services because we’re seeing more and more quality projects being made. We’re seeing more writers and directors and actors getting a shot. It just tells you how many talented people are out there. I like to think there’s room for both. But I could be a dinosaur and not even know it, man. And the comet could be on the way.”
Brad wasn’t slow or fast to embrace the option of streaming, Netflix and Hulu – he pretty much started doing that stuff when every other old-school movie star was trying it. I would imagine he has several projects (as a producer) which are already being sold to Netflix or Hulu or Amazon, or will be selling them to one of those companies soon. He’s right – the movement towards streaming has given more voices room to tell their stories. The Hollywood establishment is mostly playing catch-up though. As for Brad moving away from acting… I actually wouldn’t mind if he acted more, but he really needs to choose better projects for himself. How does he have such good taste as a producer and such bad taste – recently – as an actor? Is it just about the lack of quality of scripts he’s getting? Or something else?
Photos courtesy of Getty, cover courtesy of GQ Australia.
I think he fit nicely into the 90s/00s stereotypical Hollywood leading man niche, but he’s aged out of it. He was never an excellent actor, so the few prestige projects for older actors are going to other people. And even good actors like Tom Hanks seem to be having trouble finding decent work, so it doesn’t surprise me that Brad isn’t getting anything good. I know he has his own production company, but he needs to take a page out of Reece Witherspoon’s book and also buy the rights to films he can act in.
I agree – I think he was a good movie star, but not a great actor.
He’s also gone through a lot of serious self-inflicted turmoil in the last couple of years, so it’s no wonder he’s in fewer films.
I still loved him on Fight Club!
Brad has always been more of a character actor with the looks of a leading man. I have actually enjoyed him in quite a few things but I’ll always appreciate what he’s done as a producer. I saw The Last Black Man in San Francisco over the weekend and it was produced by Plan B. And I love that he doesn’t put himself in everything he produces – because he doesn’t need to be there.
I think he’d have more of a future if he leaned into character work a la Jude Law. Be happy to play second fiddle but still be the ‘name’ on the marquee.
This. They’re both men who were kind of ‘burdened’ by their looks into leading man roles, when they’re both fantastic in character roles – so age should be their friend there!
Crazy Brad is the best on screen Brad
there is nothing wrong with his future. And looking at his filmography he doesn’t have a problem accepting minor roles in films. He has never been known to be a selfish performer. IN fact other actors talk about how generous he is and supporting other performances.
I never thought Brad was a bad actor, but as others have pointed out he was better doing character work. Inglorious Basterds is easily my favorite performance of him, that movie had one hell of a cast and I definitely thought Brad was one of the standouts. I actually don’t mind his shift into producing though – he’s better at that than acting. He’s got an excellent eye for the films he produces.
As for the cover – I’m guessing there was some great styling and makeup going on. Or maybe the person doing the photoshop was really good at their job. I agree there’s something weird about it, but he still looks like himself.
He’s an excellent character actor…he showcased that fact in one of his first big films, “True Romance”…where he played the endearing and unforgettable doper Floyd…he can disappear inside of roles if he has too…because the man CAN act…
And for me, his love and respect of movies are reflected in his producing credits….which are superb….
I agree with everyone here about him being more of a character actor with movie star good looks. True Romance, Snatch, Inglorious Basterds, Burn After Reading, 12 Monkeys…He excels in those kinds of roles, and his eye for producing is beyond incredible. And I’m not sure if I’m in the minority here or not, but I’m really looking forward to seeing OUATIH.
It’s not just you! I’m looking forward to OUATIH as well. I never understood the big uproar surrounding the movie considering there have already been a lot of movies made about Sharon Tate and the Manson Family. And while I’ll be the first to admit that Quentin Tarantino is problematic in many ways, I really enjoy his films; well most of them anyway.
I completely agree with your entire comment! I’ve seen all of QT’s films, with the exception of The Hateful 8 (for some reason I just don’t have a big desire to see it, don’t know why 🤷🏻♀️) and have loved them all either in whole or in part. Yes, he’s problematic in more ways than one but there’s no denying his talent and unique style of storytelling. He also knows how to get the best performance out of his cast, just ask Christoph Waltz & his 2 Oscars 😉.
…or ask Uma who almost died in a car accident because of him. The performance of her life under his direction.
It was wrong and unsafe of him to have asked that of her which he admits and has apologized for filming. But she did not nearly die. She was clearly very shaken up but after a minute got out of the car shaken but smiling in the video. Again, it was wrong and dangerous.
Okay, thank you. I made my comment based only on what I’ve read here about him and the incident. Appreciate the info:)
It looks like a painted still form, it’s bordering on uncanny valley territory. It’s a combination of Brad’s ambivalent look (look serious above the nose but on the verge of breaking into a smile below) and whatever airbrushing technique used on the print.
I feel like these mags are still trying to sell Brad as a young heartthrob instead of as an age appropriate older good looking man. They usually try to do this to women, it’s interesting that they are treating Brad the same way. But acting is for all ages. Just pick interesting roles.
I agree, he shines in character roles. 12 Monkeys or Fight Club, even Burn after reading where he had a small part, yet it was delightful everytime he popped on screen. I am however sick and tired of QT and not interested i seeing anymore of his films. I may catch it once it is on TV. What I would like though is to see these men answer some questions about not only vintage cinema but old ways the business is conducted in hollywood, namely the power of handful of white men and how they treat women. He also knows Harvey. Every actress had to answer questions about him, why not Brad? Or is he riding the hero wave that Goop elevated him to, when she talked about how Brad stepped in for her?
It’s his left eye. I’ve been saying this for about two years now, his left eye is drooping. I believe it could be the Botox he gets as that’s a side effect of Botox, your eyelid drops and starts to close on you. No diss, that’s just what’s happening here. When people start seeing it for real and saying it, remember I was the first.
I agree tho on the acting. Brad is great as a supporting/character actor. He was great in Snatch and Ingrogrious Basterds. But I won’t be seeing this QT movie tho b/c I just can’t support what I’ve heard about QT really and I heard recently the Tate family is totally against this and wondering why a movie was made w/o their permission. Also, why not make Margot the lead instead of two ole’ dudes. The movie just looks and feels like an ole’ white man’s (wet) dream about the good ole’ white Hollywood days. Nope, not here for it. Lol. Even this interview felt like that. Burt Reynolds? Really? One of the most mystignotic sexist white men you could meet. Come on. (Rolls eyes).
Yeah, that’s what happens when people get older, man.
I think that Pitt suddenly looks a whole lot older. Maybe that’s what is giving this cover pic such an “off” feel to it.
Brad still looks damn good to me. Loved Brad in “Legends of the Fall”.
Looks like he had some Botox around the eyes, or he is living healthier?
In other photos he always looks tired, but here he looks fresh. Could be combo of both…maybe?
The article was weak. Seemed like a lot of subjects were off limits. Brad is best at interviews when he can ramble about anything and everything.