Brad Pitt is an iconic actor known around the world for his notable movies and infamous marriages. Starring in some of the best movies ever made like Fight Club, Se7en, and World War Z, the actor has a notable persona created around him that emits a don’t-care attitude.
Well, Pitt did not have that attitude from the beginning. While starring opposite Marvel actor Anthony Hopkins in a 1994 movie, the veteran actor gave some advice to Brad Pitt who was still starting out in Hollywood. That advice stuck with him throughout his Hollywood career and the advice was two simple words.
When Anthony Hopkins Advised Brad Pitt
Back in 1994, Pitt had not yet found his fame in Hollywood and he was a young and budding actor at that time. He got the opportunity to star opposite veteran actor Anthony Hopkins, who was already famous thanks to his role as Hannibal Lecter in The Silence of the Lambs and Pitt was not going to pass.
Well, Brad Pitt got the role but he was very nervous to work in the movie. It was during these dire moments when Anthony Hopkins reached out to Pitt to offer him some sage advice. In an interview, the Bullet Train actor revealed the advice that he received from Anthony Hopkins and the one he still uses to this day.
“F*ck it.” That was one of the first things I heard you say, back during Legends of the Fall when I was just getting my opportunity. And it always stuck with me. It seems to be a theme, a guiding principle. “F*ck it.”
Anthony Hopkins joked that he had once asked a Jesuit priest what the strongest prayer in the world was. Here’s how Hopkins explained his philosophy through a comedic joke.
“I once asked a Jesuit priest, “What is the shortest prayer in the world?” He said,“F*ck it.” It’s the prayer of release. Just say, “F*ck it.” None of it is important. The important thing is to enjoy life as it is. Your life today, it’s fantastic.”
The philosophy in question, however, led to a dispute between Brad Pitt and notable actor Harrison Ford back when they were working together in the 1997 film The Devil’s Own. Shortly after, they both compromised but the film did not garner much success.
When Brad Pitt Had A Fight With Harrison Ford
After Pitt found notable movies such as Fight Club and Se7en, the actor decided to star alongside Harrison Ford in a 1997 movie. The movie starred Ford and Brad Pitt in opposite roles but Harrison Ford felt his character lacked depth. In an interview, Ford opened up about his dispute with his co-star but eventually, they came to a compromise.
“I worked with a writer—but then all of a sudden we’re shooting and we didn’t have a script that Brad and I agreed on. Each of us had different ideas about it. I understand why he wanted to stay with his point of view, and I wanted to stay with my point of view—or I was imposing my point of view, and it’s fair to say that that’s what Brad felt. It was complicated.”
It does seem that Anthony Hopkins’ philosophy worked greatly on Brad Pitt. The actor went on to star in further notable and iconic roles throughout his Hollywood career and still remains one of the classic actors in Hollywood. Legends of the Fall is available to stream on Netflix in the U.S.
Source: Interview Magazine
