Hollywood star Brad Pitt has built a career that most stars can only dream of. From making women swoon with his matinee idol good looks to being taken seriously as a versatile actor, Pitt has done it all and been hugely successful in it. The Seven star’s repertoire ranges from action thrillers to romcoms to intense dramas with diverse characters to his credit.
While Pitt has made some inspired choices and played many memorable roles over his glittering career, there are still some films that escaped his grasp. While some reasons were beyond his control, the Mr and Mrs Smith actor also rejected many high-profile movies that went on to become massive hits.
Brad Pitt Did Not Heed His Mother’s Advice Regarding Apollo 13
In 1995, director Ron Howard cast Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, and Kevin Bacon in Apollo 13, a biographical drama about NASA’s doomed trip to the moon in 1970. The film was a critical and commercial success grossing over 350 million dollars worldwide during its theatrical release. But the film was first offered to another A-lister, Brad Pitt. The actor was originally approached to play Kevin Bacon’s character Jack Swigert but turned down the role to focus on David Fincher’s 1995 chilling serial killer movie, Seven. Pitt’s mother though expressed her regret on her son passing up a promising role as an astronaut in Apollo 13. The actor spoke of the conversation and said,
“I was talking to my mom the other night and she said, ‘I just saw the best movie called Apollo [13].’ She said, ‘You have to do more movies like this!’ I said, ‘Mom, I turned Apollo 13 down for Seven! Wait until you see that movie!'”
Apart from Brad Pitt, John Travolta, and John Cusack were also contenders to play Tom Hanks and Bill Paxton’s characters. While Travolta was allegedly the second choice behind Hanks, Cusack rejected his role to star in Grosse Pointe Blank.
Seven Was A Milestone Film For Brad Pitt
There are certain movies that fall into actors’ laps at the opportune time to change their destiny and create a lasting legacy. David Fincher’s Seven was that film for Brad Pitt. Up until then, Pitt had made a name as a Hollywood heartthrob and an actor with charisma and presence in successful blockbusters. With Seven, the celebrity transitioned to being recognized as a serious actor for the first time.
Playing an ill-fated detective who has to hunt down a chilling serial killer, Pitt’s intensity, body language, and his ability to match his co-star and veteran actor Morgan Freeman scene for scene, was a revelation to fans and critics. The climax which featured Pitt’s desperate plea to find out “ What’s in the box”, showcased the actor’s vulnerability to submit himself to a complex role.
Source: Ranker
