Metro Man in Megamind

Brad Pitt's most recent film endeavor points to the cause of his changing star image. As the voice of Metro Man in Megamind, Brad Pitt debuts as a voice actor. In an interview with People Magazine, he says that a big motivation in his taking the role was for his kids. Family, comprised of Angelina Jolie and their six children, is his top priority. Compared with the screen shot from Inglourious Basterds, which was darker, this photo from Megamind, as a kid's movie is a lot more light-hearted. However, remnants of Brad Pitt's previous star image as a masculine sex symbol is still present. Playing a superhero, Brad Pitt's cartoon character is very muscular and strong. He also has a rakish attitude, with one raised eyebrow and a wide smile. His body positioning is also pretty carefree and cool, being positioned to one side. Below is a picture from the Paris premiere of Megamind, featuring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie as they greet fans and paparazzi. This photo once again highlights the priorities of the new Brad Pitt: family.

Lt. Aldo Raines in Inglourious Basterds

Written and directed by Quentin Tarantino, Inglourious Basterds was another step in a different direction for Brad Pitt and his star image. As seen in the screen shot to the left, the overall tone of this photo is dark. With browns, grays and dark greens making up the color palette, this screen shot differs from a lot of the lighter screen shots from earlier in Brad Pitt's career. Similarly to his close-up from Babel, Brad Pitt looks to the side; this time, with a quizzical look upon his face. Brad Pitt's body position gives an intense feel, while seeming to be relaxed, as he holds a bottle of beer in his left hand. Once again, he is more covered up in this screen shot, focusing the viewer's gaze on his face rather than his abs. Even while dressed in a costume, Brad Pitt makes a statement in this screen shot. He has definitely shed his previous sex symbol star image and replaced it with that of a serious actor, with a hint of chill, as portrayed in the semi-smirk on his face and the beer bottle in hand.

Benjamin Button in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Looking at Brad’s costume in this screen shot from The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, he is wearing a brown, worn leather jacket, conveying an edgy and young radical vibe. He also dons a lighter brown scarf tied around his neck, which helps to mute the effect of the leather jacket, reminding the viewers of Brad’s current maturity. Brad’s dark Aviator glasses add a dash of sexy mystery to his image, prompting viewers to wonder what he is thinking and looking at. His hair, which is not as long as it has been in previous movie appearances and doesn’t seem to be tousled though riding at high speeds, and clean-shaven face also hints at Brad’s maturity and developing mellowness.

With the background blurring quickly behind him, lending a sense of the speed at which Brad is riding his motorcycle, and with the fact that Brad is not looking straight ahead and concentrating on driving, but rather is looking to the side, viewers can catch a glimpse of his adventuresome spirit. This subtle positioning lends to Brad’s rebellious image. However, Brad’s posture sends a kind of opposite feel. Instead of bending over his motorcycle, Brad takes a more relaxed and only slightly hunched position, conveying an almost apathetic feel. The fact that Brad is only driving the motorcycle with one hand also lends itself to both images, as it can be interpreted as being a rebellious move, but also a chill and almost uninterested sense.

Rusty Ryan in Ocean's 11, 12 and 13

Before Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad Pitt appeared in both Ocean's 11 and Ocean's 12, with screen shots seen to the left. In both of these screen shots, Brad Pitt gives off a very relaxed and chill vibe. His sunglasses add to the relaxed air. In both screen shots, his lips are slightly pursed, sending a message similar to that from his screen shots in movies like Legends of the Fall and Fight Club. He seems to be cool and intense, but with a slight smile, ready for fun. The screen shot below is from Ocean's 13, which was filmed after Angelina Jolie. Subtle differences can be noticed between the two time periods. Before Angelina, Brad Pitt's shirt is unbuttoned more, drawing the viewer's eye to his skin. In the screen shot from Ocean's 13, Brad Pitt has darker hair, reflecting a more mature and less casual look. He also has replaced the light gray blazer for an olive green, again seeming more casual. In the screen shot below, rather than pursing his lips, Brad Pitt wears a smile. He seems to be more comfortable with himself, not trying too hard to impress.

Richard Jones in Babel

When searching for a screen shot from Brad Pitt's performance as Richard Jones in Babel, the options almost entirely consisted of shots that focused on Brad Pitt's face, rather than his body, as was easy to find in pre-Angelina films. Babel marks the first film Brad appears in after Mr. and Mrs. Smith. The fact that almost all of the screen shots are close-ups of his face reflect Brad Pitt's changing star image. Rather than being known and admired for his body, he strives to be respected for his acting ability. This screen shot reflects that desire as Brad Pitt's expression is very serious. By looking off to the side with a sullen look on his face, Brad Pitt adds to a somber feel in the screen shot. Viewers, rather than being distracted by his body as in screen shots from previous films focus on the emotion expressed. The overall feel of this screen shot also reflects his somber attitude as the background is a neutral color and he is clothed in gray. Even the gray in his hair lends a blah feel. While in previous screen shots, Brad Pitt was seen as adventurous, young and wild, Brad Pitt's beard in this screen shot instead makes him seem haggard and exhausted. Brad Pitt is maturing.

John Smith in Mr. and Mrs. Smith

Mr. and Mrs. Smith marked a turning point in Brad Pitt's star image. It marked his introduction to Angelina Jolie. This led to a lot of scandal as Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston at the time, but as we now know that marriage ended in a divorce and Brad Pitt is now raising seven children with Ms. Jolie. In this screen shot, Brad Pitt's maturing star image can already start to be seen. He still portrays a sexy spy, but in this screen shot, the focus is not on Pitt's body as in screen shots from previous films. Although almost the same amount of skin is exposed as in the screen shot from Troy, the result is less provocative. Brad Pitt does not even necessarily have the same charisma as he commanded in previous screen shots. Instead, he is beginning to share the spotlight with another, with the viewer's eyes drawn to the color contrast in Jolie's red rain boots. Brad Pitt's expression is also less intense in this screen shot. With a look of bewilderment on his face and his hand raised to his head, Brad's body positioning sends a more confused sense. However, the rubble and debris in the background still lend a sense of chaotic adventure to the image, which aligns more with Pitt's old star image.

Achilles in Troy

Once again, results of googling Brad Pitt and Troy mainly include sites revolving around how to get a body like his in the movie. This constant focus on Brad Pitt's body supports the fact that his star image was built mainly on his sex appeal. In his armor costume for Troy, Brad Pitt is more covered up than in previous screen shots from movies like Thelma and Louise and Fight Club, but his sex appeal and the emphasis on his body is still strong. By revealing more arms and legs, rather than abs, Brad Pitt's sexy star image continues to grow. In this screen shot, Brad Pitt is poised for battle, crouching with a sword in one hand and a giant shield on his back. This positioning emphasizes his intensity, kind of daring anyone to challenge his masculinity. Even in elaborate costume in a movie that was nominated for an Oscar for its costume design, Brad Pitt develops a young star image that goes beyond the costume. He is not hampered by the costume, but pushes through to maintain his young and sexy image.

Tyler Durden in Fight Club

When googling Brad Pitt and Fight Club, the top results involve working out and titles like "How to Get a Body Like Brad Pitt in Fight Club." This emphasis on Brad Pitt's body also carries out into the screen shot, which once again highlights his abs. In contrast to the shirtless screen shot from his performance in Thelma and Louise, however, the screen shot from Fight Club has a rugged and intense feel. Not only is Brad Pitt shirtless, he is also bloody, smoking a cigarette, and squinting, sending a message of "don't mess with me." His spiky hair parallels his spiky personality, as Brad Pitt develops his character's image of rebellion. While all of the people in the background look at the same object as Brad Pitt, there is one other shirtless man who looks instead at Brad Pitt in apparent wonder or surprise. His gaze implies a sort of respect that is due Brad Pitt, giving his character a sense of charisma and the ability to command a room. Brad Pitt's body position is also interesting as he seems to be both relaxed and ready for action, similar to the nonchalant air that was also present in the screen shot from Legends of the Fall.

Tristan Ludlow in Legends of the Fall

A few years after portraying J.D. in Thelma and Louise, Brad Pitt landed a lead role in Legends of the Fall, directed by Edward Zwick. As Tristan Ludlow, Brad Pitt portrays the rebellious middle son of a Montana rancher and veteran, who is constantly butting heads with his older and younger brothers. In the screen shot to the right, although Brad Pitt is not showing as much skin as in the screen shot from his performance as J.D. in Thelma and Louise, he still exudes a sexy and intense image.

Wearing an unbuttoned collared shirt provokes the viewer's imagination without overtly revealing his body. The sunlight coming from the top left highlights Brad Pitt's hair, which is pulled back in a messy ponytail. The lack of hair product and styling lends to an almost apathetic air to his appearance, signaling that he doesn't have to try to look good. Being positioned in front of a tree backdrop helps imply an adventurous and wild spirit, similar to the mountain painting in the background of the screen shot from his role as J.D. in Thelma and Louise. Brad Pitt's holding of a gun also adds to his masculine image, lending a sense of danger and mystery to his star image.

J.D. in Thelma and Louise

Looking at the screen shot to the left, the first thing that the viewer's eye is drawn to are Brad Pitt's abs. The fact that Brad Pitt is shirtless in this picture is glaringly obvious. Brad Pitt's role as J.D. in Thelma and Louise marks his first significant role in a major Hollywood film, and he already establishes himself as a sex symbol. His tousled hair gives a rebellious air to the screen shot, while the cowboy hat perched on the lamp and his holding a hair dryer lends the viewer to question what exactly is going on in this clip. The top of Pitt's jeans are visible, which establish his character as a working man, a normal and relatable person. The mountain painting in the background implies a sense of adventure, lending to his image as a young, fun-loving guy. With this choice of character, Brad Pitt adds to a provocative star image, making a statement with his first impression in Hollywood.

Filmography

The following is an abbreviated list Brad Pitt's filmography. Later posts will look at screenshots from many of the following films, focusing on how Pitt chooses to present himself as a star while in character.

Thelma and Louise as J.D. (1991)
A River Runs Through It as Paul Maclean (1992)
Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire Chronicles as Louis de Pointe du Lac (1994)
Legends of the Fall as Tristan Ludlow (1994)
Se7en as Detective David Mills (1995)
Twelve Monkeys as Jeffrey Goines (1995)
Meet Joe Black as Joe Black/Young Man in Coffee Shop (1998)
Fight Club as Tyler Durden (1999)
Ocean’s Eleven as Rusty Ryan (2001)
Troy as Achilles (2004)
Ocean’s Twelve as Rusty Ryan (2004)
Mr. and Mrs. Smith as John Smith (2005)
Babel as Richard Jones (2006)
Ocean’s Thirteen as Rusty Ryan (2007)
Burn After Reading as Chad Feldheimer (2008)
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button as Benjamin Button (2008)
Inglourious Basterds as Lt. Aldo Raines (2009)
Megamind as Metro Mind [voice] (2010)

An Intro

Many words come to mind when “Brad Pitt” is spoken, including Angelina, humanitarian, lots of kids, good-looking, and maybe even Jennifer Aniston. These words have evolved over time. Just a few years ago, some of the words that would have come to mind included handsome, personable, J.D. in Thelma and Louise, sexy, and blonde. Brad’s changing and maturing image is noticeable, not only in the tabloids, but also in his character choices. Some could argue that this change is due to Brad Pitt’s age, his desire to be regarded for his acting skill rather than his body, or a shift toward impersonation-based performance. However, while these arguments are possible explanations, I find it interesting that the change in character choice seems to start after his role in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and the start of his relationship with Angelina Jolie. While it is true that Brad Pitt is getting older and maturing in his acting, the fact that there is such an abrupt change rather than a gradual one lends evidence for the fact that an abrupt change in his life, the addition of Angelina, was the main player in the difference. Now known as a family man, Brad Pitt’s growth from a sex symbol and rebel to a mature and sensitive father is evident in a comparison of pictures from his filmography released before and after his relationship with Angelina Jolie.

In his book "Stars", Richard Dyer points out the fact that "the roles and/or the performance of a star in a film were taken as revealing the personality of the star" (20). Although stars are obviously not defined by the characters they play, they do have a large say in the portrayal of the character, especially today, when stars are constantly collaborating with directors and films are a result of multiple people's input. As stars portray different characters, in addition to developing their character's image, they also are adding to their own star image, defined by Dyer as "constructed personages in media texts" (97). The key word in this definition is constructed as it implies that this image is built; a star's image is a result of work and deliberation, and part of that work and deliberation is the star's choice in character. Brad Pitt's choices of characters pre- and post- Angelina reflect his evolving and maturing star image.

See "Links" page for Works Cited.