Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's son removes dad's last name in credits of new film

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: A quiet but noticeable change in the credits of Angelina Jolie’s new film has caught fans’ attention.

When ‘Couture’ debuted in French theaters on Wednesday, February 18, Maddox, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s eldest son, who served as an assistant director, was credited as “Maddox Jolie,” dropping the “Pitt” surname that once followed his name in past projects.

The move makes Maddox the latest of the former couple’s six children to distance themselves publicly from their father’s last name.

Maddox credited as Maddox Jolie in Angelina Jolie’s ‘Couture’

Angelina, 50, produced and starred in the drama ‘Couture’, playing Maxine Walker, a film director who is diagnosed with breast cancer just as she arrives in Paris for Fashion Week.

Working behind the scenes on the project was her 24-year-old son, Maddox, who worked as an assistant director.

When the film’s credits rolled, his name appeared simply as Maddox Jolie.

The change is significant because the last time Maddox was credited on one of his mother’s films, he used the hyphenated surname. In the 2024 drama ‘Maria’, where Angelina portrayed late opera singer Maria Callas, Maddox worked as a production assistant. At the time, he was listed as Maddox Jolie-Pitt.

‘Maria’ was released months before Angelina and Brad Pitt’s divorce was finalized in December 2024. Their legal battle stretched over eight years, with disputes involving finances and custody.

Siblings Shiloh, Zahara and Vivienne have also dropped the Pitt surname.

Maddox’s decision follows similar steps taken by his siblings.

Shiloh, 19, legally filed to remove “Pitt” from her last name on her 18th birthday in 2024. She now goes by Shiloh Jolie. Zahara, 21, and Vivienne, 17, have also appeared publicly without using their father’s surname.

The surname changes have drawn attention because of the long and highly publicized split between Angelina and Brad. Initially, Angelina had full custody of their six children, but that changed in 2021 when Pitt was granted equal custody.

As part of the divorce terms finalized in December 2024, Angelina is required to remain in Los Angeles while their younger children are still minors. She addressed the situation in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, saying the agreement states she has to “be here” in Los Angeles for their twins, Knox and Vivienne.

“As soon as they’re 18, I’ll be able to leave,” she said.

Brad Pitt says divorce was ‘just something coming to fruition’

While the children’s surname changes have fueled speculation about family dynamics, Brad Pitt has described the end of his marriage in a more matter-of-fact way.

Speaking to GQ, the 62-year-old actor reflected on life after the divorce.

“My life is fairly contained. It feels pretty warm and secure with my friends, with my loves, with my fam, with my knowledge of who I am,” he shared.

When asked about the impact of the divorce, Pitt downplayed its emotional weight.

“No, I don’t think it was that major of a thing,” he revealed. “Just something coming to fruition. Legally.”