Brad Pitt Looks Back on His “Thelma & Louise” Experience

In a recent discussion, Brad Pitt reminisced about his early days in Hollywood, specifically about his time filming the 1991 classic, Thelma & Louise. The 61-year-old actor shared his first impressions of co-stars Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon, saying he was quite starstruck. “When I first met Gina and Susan, I was a little, um, taken aback,” he admitted on the New Heights podcast. “But I quickly got through it.”

The film, which propelled Pitt into the spotlight, features Davis as Thelma and Sarandon as Louise, while Pitt plays JD, a charming but unreliable thief who gets involved with them.

Back in 2020, Davis recalled Pitt’s audition, highlighting his undeniable talent. “He just had it,” she said. “When he was auditioning, I knew he was really something special, and over the years, he’s proven that.” Davis has always held Pitt in high regard, praising his charisma and ability as an actor.

Interestingly, Davis revealed how Pitt’s audition stood out so much that it helped seal his fate in landing the role. She mentioned on a talk show that he had a certain magnetism, stating, “I think I may have ruined his audition, he was just that good.” She later found out that he had outshined other actors, including Mark Ruffalo and Grant Shaw, in the selection process.

Davis even recounted a chance encounter with one of those finalists, George Clooney. Over time, they chatted, and he jokingly admitted, “I hate Brad Pitt. He got that part.” To which Davis responded, laughing, “Oh, do you want that part?”

Fast forward to 2023, Pitt expressed his fond memories of filming intimate scenes with Davis, calling her “sweet, kind, and delicate.” He mentioned that the love scene they shot took two days, with Davis taking care of him throughout the process.

Reflecting on Thelma & Louise‘s lasting impact, both Davis and Sarandon revisited their experiences as they celebrated the film’s 30th anniversary. Davis recalled her first impression of Pitt during his audition, saying, “I was just wowed.” Sarandon, on the other hand, pointed out the improvisational flair Pitt brought that made the film feel real and fresh.

The film’s portrayal of female friendship resonated deeply, especially for Sarandon, who noted, “At the time, it was rare to see genuine connections between women on screen.” She felt it was something special, particularly in an industry often dominated by male narratives.

Since Thelma & Louise, Pitt has embarked on an impressive career, starring in films like Fight Club, Troy, Inglourious Basterds, and Bullet Train. Most recently, he took on the role of a Formula 1 driver in his latest movie, F1, something he described as an entirely new experience for him.

Despite not typically gravitating toward high-octane films, Pitt expressed excitement about this particular role, saying, “It’s something I’ve never experienced before.”