Legendary Hollywood director Ed Zwick, who has worked with myriads of Hollywood A-listers, has recently come up with his mémoire Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years. Set to release on February 13, 2024, the book speaks about his journey in Hollywood alongside the heartthrobs of Tinseltown.
However, an excerpt from his mémoire that’s making headlines is where Ed Zwick wrote about the instant chemistry between Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt. Noting how the duo came together to read lines for Legends of the Fall, Zwick claimed that Pitt and Paltrow showcased “more than movie chemistry”.
Ed Zwick Speaks About Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt’s Chemistry
After offering his fans and audiences incredible movies like The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Legends of the Fall, and more, acclaimed filmmaker Ed Zwick came up with his mémoire narrating his Hollywood journey. His book Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years, set to release on February 13, opened up about several actors and his association with them.
However, the one thing that caught people’s attention was what Ed Zwick had to say about Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt’s chemistry. With the excerpt being shared by Vanity Fair, the filmmaker is seen noting down how the duo showcased “more than movie chemistry” when they met for the first time to read lines for Legends of the Fall.
Back then Brad Pitt was 29, and Gwyneth Paltrow was 20 when they initially hit it off with each other while appearing together for the test readings for Legends of the Fall. Reminiscing about Pitt and Paltrow’s instant flame, Ed Zwick noted how it seemed like they were both made to appear together in movies. Unfortunately, despite emitting convincing chemistry, Paltrow didn’t land the role opposite Pitt, because she was “too young”.
Ed Zwick Wasn’t Surprised When Pitt and Paltrow Started Dating
Although the role of Susannah that Gwyneth Paltrow read for, went to Julia Ormond opposite Brad Pitt, the Oscar-winning actress eventually made the bold move of stepping out with Pitt at the film’s premiere as a couple. Ed Zwick noted in his mémoire that after witnessing Paltrow and Pitt’s flame, he “wasn’t surprised” when the couple made that bold move.
Thereafter, Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Pitt dated for three years, from 1994 to 1997. Two years into their relationship, the couple got engaged in December 1996. However, within six months of their engagement, the couple called it off and went on with their respective careers and lives. Ed Zwick couldn’t deny their genuine chemistry and love.
“We were only four weeks from shooting and still hadn’t found our Susannah… It was during one of these readings that Brad met Gwyneth Paltrow. Though she was too young for the part, there was more than movie chemistry in the room as they read. When I saw them together months later at our premiere, I wasn’t surprised.”
Even Gwyneth Paltrow noted the same during her appearance on Call Her Daddy podcast in 2023. Speaking with the host, the actress noted how “it was major, major love at first sight” for her and Brad Pitt. It is unfortunate to see that the duo didn’t work out, but Ed Zwick is the witness of their instant chemistry and genuine love affair from 1994 to 1997.
