Brad Pitt Had Instant Chemistry With This Famous Ex, According to the Director Who Introduced Them

Brad Pitt, the man whose name has been linked to some of Hollywood’s most captivating love stories, has a romantic history as intriguing as the characters he portrays on screen. From his high-profile marriages to Jennifer Aniston and Angelina Jolie to his fleeting flings, there’s one particular romance that stands out from the rest, leaving fans and industry insiders captivated long after its conclusion.

This story dates back to the mid-90s when Pitt, already making waves in Hollywood with his undeniable talent and chiseled good looks, met a young, up-and-coming actress during a casting for Legends of the Fall. In his new memoir Hits, Flops, and Other Illusions: My Fortysomething Years in Hollywood, the film’s director, Ed Zwick, recalled this fateful moment.

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In 1994, Zwick was in the midst of casting for his upcoming film. He had found his leading man in Brad Pitt, but the search for the perfect Susannah — a character requiring a blend of vivacity and melancholy — was proving elusive. “We were only four weeks from shooting and still hadn’t found our Susannah,” Zwick recalled in an excerpt of his memoir published by Vanity Fair.

During one of these readings, Pitt met a young actress who, despite being too young for the part, left an indelible impression. “There was more than movie chemistry in the room as they read,” Zwick recalls. Though she didn’t land the role, which ultimately went to Julia Ormond, something else sparked in that room — a connection that would transcend the confines of the casting call.

Months later, at the film’s premiere, Zwick saw Pitt with the same young actress. He admits, “I wasn’t surprised.” Their chemistry was undeniable from the start.

So, who was this promising young actress who captured Pitt’s heart? None other than the captivating Gwyneth Paltrow. Their romance, which began soon after their fateful meeting and lasted from 1994 to 1997, was a whirlwind of engagement rumors and red carpet appearances.

And while Paltrow has since moved on, marrying writer, director, and producer Brad Falchuk in 2018, there isn’t any bad blood between her and Pitt. The two are still friends to this day, proving that even in Hollywood, enduring friendships can blossom from lost love, standing as a testament to their unforgettable connection.

Before you go, click here to see celebrity exes who will always be friends.

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