Brad Pitt, now 61 and still very much a Hollywood heavyweight, dropped some candid wisdom for the next generation of actors during his guest appearance on the New Heights podcast hosted by NFL stars Travis and Jason Kelce. While promoting his high-octane new sports film F1, Pitt joked about his “grizzled veteran” status, mirroring the seasoned character he plays — Sonny Hayes, a washed-up Formula 1 driver making one last run with a struggling team.
Pitt, ever the charmer, opened the interview apologetically. “Sorry, I was late. I couldn’t get my s— together this morning,” he quipped, setting the tone for a lighthearted yet insightful chat. He also joked about not hitting 200 mph on set, even though he plays a pro driver in F1, which has already raked in $144 million globally on its opening weekend.
When Jason Kelce called Sonny Hayes “an old, grizzled veteran,” Pitt embraced the comparison, adding that it’s fun watching younger talent enter the industry. “We were a little more uptight. You didn’t sell out. And now it’s like, ‘Hey, we can be artists in many arenas.’ And I love that.”
“Don’t Get Caught in the Franchise Trap,” Says Pitt
Although Pitt celebrated the evolution of artistic freedom in Hollywood, he didn’t hold back on offering real talk: “They [young actors] get caught up in like, ‘I have to have a franchise, or I have to be a superhero.’ And I keep going, ‘Don’t. Don’t. They will die.’”
The Academy Award-winning actor, who has notably avoided the superhero craze (save for a blink-and-you-miss-it cameo in Deadpool 2), warned against building careers solely around franchises. He emphasized that while comic book films might be tempting, they don’t always lead to lasting fulfillment or artistic longevity.
Interestingly, Pitt himself has only starred in one major franchise — Steven Soderbergh’s Ocean’s Trilogy — alongside George Clooney, Matt Damon, and Julia Roberts. “That was more about fun and chemistry than branding,” Pitt said in past interviews.
His current role in F1 bucks that trend. Though packed with action and scale, F1 is more character-driven than most blockbusters. Pitt plays an aging driver trying to redeem himself while clashing with hotshot rookie Joshua Pearce (played by Damson Idris) in a bid to bring a failing team its first win.
Racing, Realism, and Career Highs
Discussing his experience filming F1, Pitt shared his awe at the world of real-life racing. “It’s shocking what these cars can do. You’re barreling down at 180 at a brick wall, and you’re supposed to brake at 80 yards and make a hard turn. It’s unreal.”
Pitt trained extensively to portray the physicality and psychological mindset of a Formula 1 driver. His performance — and surprisingly competent race scenes — have earned praise, even from F1 legend Lewis Hamilton, who reportedly said he was “impressed” by Pitt’s natural driving instincts.
When asked how this role compares to his past, Pitt said, “It’s different because you feel the risk. It’s not just acting — it’s reacting under pressure in a machine that can easily go wrong.”
As for the future, Pitt seemed relaxed. He acknowledged that younger actors are coming up with fresh energy, and he’s happy to watch from the sidelines — and offer some seasoned advice when asked.
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