Brad Pitt Advises Younger Actors: ‘Don’t Get Caught Up’ in Chasing Franchises

Brad Pitt, Hollywood veteran and star of the new sports drama F1, shared some candid advice for emerging actors during a July 2 appearance on the New Heights podcast with NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce. Reflecting on his extensive career and evolving industry landscape, Pitt urged younger performers not to get “caught up” in the pursuit of franchise or superhero roles—a path he warns could lead to burnout.

Pitt’s Perspective on New Generations in Hollywood

Joining the Kelce brothers remotely while promoting F1, Pitt joked about his “old, grizzled veteran” character and playfully admitted he stocked up on “a lot of old man jokes” to prepare. The conversation naturally shifted to the challenges faced by younger actors today.

“I like watching what the new generations are coming in with,” Pitt said, appreciating how young stars navigate Hollywood’s shifting demands. “I feel like they enjoy it more,” he added, contrasting their approach with his own generation’s mindset. “We were a little more uptight and had to be about acting. You didn’t sell out, you didn’t sell out.”

Pitt praised the modern ethos where artists embrace versatility across mediums and projects. “It’s this thing of, ‘Hey man, we can be artists in many different arenas. And so let’s do it and let’s enjoy it.’”

A Warning About Franchise Fame

Despite his admiration, Pitt issued a strong caution: “They also get caught up in like, have to have a franchise or have to have a superhero or something like that, which I keep going, ‘Don’t. Don’t. They will die.’”

This advice is notable given Pitt’s own career choices. Over decades in Hollywood, he’s largely avoided franchise films, starring in only the Ocean’s trilogy alongside George Clooney and Matt Damon, and making a brief cameo in Deadpool 2. His reluctance to commit to franchise roles stands in contrast to many of today’s stars, who often build their careers around superhero universes or blockbuster series.

Pitt on F1: A Different Kind of Challenge

In F1, Pitt portrays Sonny Hayes, a washed-up Formula 1 driver working to revive a struggling racing team. The film has already made waves internationally, grossing an estimated $144 million in its opening weekend.

Talking about the experience, Pitt marveled at the physicality and precision required for the role: “It is shocking what these cars can do. You cannot believe the first time you get in it, that you can be barreling down at 180 at a brick wall and hit the brakes at the 80-yard marker and make a right turn, slow down to 50. It’s like, it’s shocking.”

A Career Built on Authenticity

Pitt’s words reflect a career marked by carefully chosen projects and a resistance to the pressures many young actors face in chasing big franchise deals. His message resonates as a reminder that longevity and creative fulfillment often come from forging one’s own path—beyond the allure of superhero capes and blockbuster labels.

F1 is currently playing in theaters nationwide.