In the middle of the promotion for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, the Hollywood Reporter did a curious and controversial article wherein they argued that Leo DiCaprio is the “only global superstar left.” There was a lively discussion about whether that was true, and the comparison was made to Brad Pitt, who is obviously Leo’s costar in OUATIH. I argued that while Leo makes “bigger” movies, Brad has the more enviable career, because he diversified to become a top-notch producer of the best Oscar-bait films out there, in addition to being an in-demand actor. There is no right answer to this riddle of “who is the last global movie star,” but I would say that there still are some other global stars left and it’s not just Leo.
In any case, that whole discussion got people thinking about careers and the evolution of stars and all that. While I applaud Brad’s producing abilities, he honestly hasn’t had the best “picker” for his starring vehicles in the past ten years or so. Allied bombed critically and financially, and I would be willing to bet that Ad Astra will be the same kind of thing. It’s also worth noting that Brad doesn’t DO kids’ films. He’s always done drama or action or art films. So… this doesn’t make much sense, really:
Brad Pitt says he only accepts roles his children will be proud of him for — because he is “painfully aware” they will watch his films. The Hollywood star, 55, has six children with his ex-wife Angelina Jolie: Maddox, 18, Pax, 15, Zahara, 14, Shiloh, 13, and 11-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.
He told Red Bulletin: “Now that I’m a dad, I’m clearer about the work I want to do. I’m now painfully aware that my kids are going to be seeing my movies as they grow up. I think of how movies affected me when I was a kid, the ones that told me something, honed me a little bit, left that indelible mark. It’s important to me that I leave something they’ll be proud of.”
Pitt, who found fame at 21 with a supporting role in 1991 film Thelma And Louise, said: “I feel like we won the lottery. There are many talented people out there, but the trick is: Once you get in the door you have to stand in the room…There is a shelf life to what we do, and we’re aware of that. It makes us more appreciative of the time we’ve had. As long as you find meaning in what you do, it’ll transition into something else.”
I guess he’s saying that he wants to make movies that stand the test of time, that his kids can find and enjoy when they’re older. Which… I mean, every actor wants to make movies that stand the test of time. Every actor wants to make The Godfather or To Kill a Mockingbird. Very few actors actually manage it. And what films will his kids see? Ad Astra? OUATIH? LOL. Probably not. I could see the kids growing up to enjoy Spy Game or A River Runs Through It or…? I don’t know. Mostly, Brad just wanted to remind everyone that he has kids and he thinks about them sometimes! I bet the Jolie-Pitt kids will enjoy the heck out of Maleficent: Mistress of Evil though. *nail emoji*
Photos courtesy of WENN, Backgrid.
Hey guys, have you heard? Brad Pitt has SIX KIDS and is a dad!
Give it a rest, Team Pitt.
Perhaps he was asked a question and answered it.
he could’ve said no comment when asked or established beforehand that the interviewer isn’t to ask about his kids.
like how no one asks tom cruise about suri anymore. that’s probably a condition of interviewing him.
Thank you LadyT.
Probably, but he and his team are pushing the dad angle REALLY hard while promoting this movie.
He’s always done it, but it seems even more so now. Given what the kids have been through in the past few years, it doesn’t seem fair to them.
He’s lent his voice in a couple of animated films so to say he’ doesn’t do kid-friendly films isn’t 100% accurate but, yes, he does primarily stick to more adult-themed films. He’s definitely stumbled with some his choices but I think his filmography is actually pretty impressive, and something his kids can be proud of.
Brad Pitt has made some great movies during his career. To pretend otherwise is pretty silly.
Agreed
I’m worried about him.
When people mess up, hounding them about it isn’t helpful. I’ve had a feeling about Brad for a little bit and now I’m full on concerned.
I really doubt anyone in his circle or sphere of people is hounding him about his personal life. He strikes me as the type to surround himself with people who will tell him what he wants to hear. I think Johnny Depp does the same.
I’ve never thought he was a very good actor, but he’s been in a lot of good stuff.
I do think he’s a good producer though.
Seriously. Legends of the Fall, Snatch, and Fight Club are 3 absolute MASTERPIECES of filmography, from ANY era.
Interview With A Vampire is another film I love.
I really liked Twelve Monkeys, Benjamin Buttons and Inglorious Bastards.
Yes! And Snatch as well. Fight Club, and Seven too. Lots of great movies
Meet Joe Black, Legends of the Fall, A River Runs Through It, The Big Short, Moneyball, The Assassination of Jesse James. He’s got a very impressive body of work.
The childrens’ real life experiences with him will likely inure them to his reel life.
I agree that most of his movies aren’t memorable, but there are few that I think will stand the test of time. Movies like FIght Club, Se7en, Curious Case of Benjamin Button, maybe Inglorious Basterds, etc. When he has a good script and director, he tends to deliver solid performances.
“Now that i’m a dad” ??????? His eldest is 18- he has been a dad for almost two decades. How is this news, and how is this just now occurring to him?
He/his team talks about his six children as if they are theoretical. Like he has a photo of six actors hired to be his kids, for his image. It is weird.
Of course the whole, my wife was done with me the very second I laid a hand in anger on her first born child- and my relationship with my children has never recovered- doesn’t really make for a good sound bite.
The kids will probably dig the Ocean’s movies. But most of Pitt’s oeuvre is dull af.
The “now that I’m a dad” was weird to me as well. His youngest are 11 for goodness sake.
Good for him
His movies are the least of his problems. I hope he is working on having good relationships with all of them.
I don’t think he was saying movies for children. Just movies that would show his kids how good he is at his job.
I think we all want our kids to see our work.
Um… help me but how can he be both 55 now and 21 in 1991? Math has never been my strong suit but even I’m pretty sure something is off there.
Anyway, sure Brad, I bet your kids are super interested in seeing your novies. But he has done well for himself professionally and so, good for him.
I thought the same thing! Dude is NOT 48.
I am in no way a Pitt fan. Team Jolie! I think this is an old quote made to look new. I swear i’ve seen this quote years ago from one of his interviews.
Agree about it being an old qoute. That’s weird it’s being spun like it’s new.
He had spoken about this on more than one occasion over the years. In print and in tv interviews.
I doubt his kids will be proud about him working with QT