Brad Pitt is a low-key participant in the Oscar race this year due to his company Plan B's role as producer of the highly anticipated and acclaimed child abuse drama "Nickel Boys."
However, an insider informed In Touch Weekly that he has been intensely interested in Nicole Kidman and her competing film "Babygirl," which is anticipated to earn the star a Best Actress nomination in a challenging and competitive year.
Brad, 60, and Nicole, 57, have not interacted much in the past twenty years. However, Brad had intended to direct "Mr. & Mrs. Smith" with the "Big Little Lies" star before she withdrew from the project and was replaced by Angelina Jolie.
Nevertheless, the source revealed that the "Troy" actor is excited about the prospect of assisting Nicole in winning the Oscar in 2025 rather than having it awarded to his ex-wife Angelina, 49, who is virtually locked for a Best Actress nomination for her portrayal of opera vocalist Maria Callas in the biopic "Maria."
“Essentially, Brad was friendly with Nicole 20 years ago when he was preparing to make Mr. & Mrs. Smith, but is only recently reviving their relationship. I think he would have befriended her much earlier in her career, but Brad made a point of steering clear of Nicole in the nineties because he and Tom Cruise disliked each other so much after making Interview With a Vampire together," the informant told the entertainment news outlet.
In the 1994 film, Brad portrayed the ageless vampire Louis alongside Tom's villainous Lestat. The two actors famously clashed on set during the film's production.
According to the informant, Brad has become a genuine advocate for Nicole's performance in "Babygirl" in 2024. He has even attended private industry screenings with Nicole, during which he expressed his admiration for the film and Nicole's performances, The Daily Beast reported.
Nicole is also acquainted with Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon; however, these relationships did not arise until after Jen and Brad's separation. Nicole's most enthusiastic advocate is Brad, which is an entirely novel experience for her. This is a significant asset as she promotes the film.
The film is genuinely within Brad's comfort zone, and it includes Nicole in some of the most provocative sex sequences. However, who are we kidding? Brad's support for Nicole and her campaign, which is significant to her, is essentially his response to Angelina, who is widely recognized as being on the brink of winning her first Oscar in 25 years.
The "Salt" actress has dedicated her heart and soul to her major comeback film, even engaging in a seven-month training schedule to become the iconic opera singer. "Maria" received a warm reception from numerous critics following its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, which fueled expectations that the film could secure an Oscar nomination, if not a triumph for the veteran actress, Screen Daily reported.
“This role means everything to Angie. Angie is assuming the identity of a woman who was every bit the glamorous star she once was and can be the kind of film that vaults her right back to the top," another mole shared.
Business Times has reached out to Brad Pitt and Nicole Kidman for comments.
