Producer willing to pay $60M to bitter exes Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to reunite for his movie
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: After years of bitter divorce proceedings, legal battles, and a seemingly irreparable rift, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, once the golden couple of Hollywood, have been presented with a surprising, almost audacious offer: a chance to reunite on-screen.
Page Six reported that producer Danny Rossner, known more for B-movie hits like 'Steak' and 'When Justice Fails' than A-list blockbusters, has made it his mission to bring the former power couple back together, not in life but in cinema.
Producer Danny Rossner willing to spend jaw-dropping amount on love story set during WW II
Danny Rossner is dangling an eye-watering $60 million in front of the estranged stars to appear in his long-cherished passion project, a love story set in World War II-era Cannes.
The producer believes the potential reunion of the 'Mr & Mrs Smith' co-stars could be nothing short of cinematic gold.
The proposed film is set at the iconic Hotel Martinez in Cannes, with Pitt playing hotel owner Emmanuel Martinez and Jolie portraying his captivating mistress, Emma Digard.
Rossner is quick to emphasize the story's romantic intensity, saying, “There is a love scene … It’s a torrid one, too. It’s not salacious but there are very heavy love scenes.”
For a duo whose personal relationship imploded in one of Hollywood’s most public divorces, the idea of sharing intimate scenes seems far-fetched.
However, Rossner is undeterred. “If they can’t be in the same room, we’ll adjust the screenplay. That is the beauty of having the right to modify,” he explained.
Rossner has taken a “blank check” approach to get the stars together, promising to pay above and beyond their usual rates.
Pitt, who reportedly commands $20 to $25 million per film, would see an offer nearing $37.5 million. Jolie, typically earning $15 million per movie, would be offered $22 million.
However, even Rossner admits this uneven pay split could be a hurdle. Jolie, known for championing equality and women’s rights, is unlikely to overlook such a glaring disparity.
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie’s divorce feud reaches new heights
The idea of Pitt and Jolie working together again is almost unthinkable given their ongoing legal battles over custody, finances, and their shared wine business.
Their split in 2016 marked the end of “Brangelina", a union that had captivated fans since their 2004 romance blossomed on the set of 'Mr & Mrs Smith.'
Since their breakup, Jolie has focused on raising their six children — Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and twins Knox and Vivienne — many of whom have chosen to align more closely with their mother, with some older children reportedly dropping “Pitt” from their last names.
Meanwhile, Pitt has moved on romantically, currently dating jeweler Ines De Ramon.
Even the Venice Film Festival took pains to ensure the ex-couple didn’t cross paths in September, scheduling their respective films on separate days.
Alberto Barbera, the festival’s artistic director, bluntly stated to Vanity Fair, “There is no way that they can cross each other at the Lido.”
Despite the odds, Rossner remains hopeful.
“If we can have a ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, [Pitt and Jolie] can put their differences aside and come together to build a bridge and make this movie,” he reportedly said, drawing an ambitious parallel between world diplomacy and Hollywood drama.
The producer is betting big on the unparalleled star power of Pitt and Jolie, claiming, “Guaranteed success if they come on. There’s not even a second place. It’s a slam dunk with them.”
