The One Rule Brad Pitt Swore He’d Never Break—Until David Fincher Changed Everything!

Brad Pitt’s career is a testament to his versatility and determination as one of Hollywood’s ultimate leading men. From his breakout role in Thelma & Louise, where he captivated audiences as a soft-natured cowboy hitchhiker, to his dynamic and colorful supporting roles in films like Burn After Reading, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and Babylon, Pitt’s career has been a series of impressive, varied performances. However, one role proved to be more challenging than others, breaking a career-long rule he had sworn never to break: working with prosthetics.

Throughout his career, Pitt has collaborated with a select group of directors, including Quentin Tarantino and his frequent collaborator David Fincher. The two have worked together on some of Pitt’s most iconic roles, including Se7en, Fight Club, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Yet, it was the latter film, a 2008 fantasy drama about a man who ages backward, that pushed Pitt to do something he had long resisted.

In The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Pitt plays the titular character, a man who lives his life in reverse, growing younger as the world around him ages. The film required extensive makeup and prosthetics to create Pitt’s various looks at different stages of his character’s life, a process that the actor had previously avoided. As Pitt admitted, “Man, I swore I would never do prosthetics. I’ve done some glue-on beards, and they’re not fun.”

However, when Fincher pitched the project to Pitt, the director’s unique vision was enough to convince him to break his rule. “Then Fincher came with this one and I said, ‘I’m in’,” Pitt shared. “One of his other great talents is subverting and perverting whatever existing technology there is to his own evil devices.” Pitt appreciated how Fincher used existing technology from the gaming and special effects industries to create detailed, realistic transformations, such as the dilation of pupils and the process of aging.

The makeup team on Benjamin Button also impressed Pitt with their skill, and he found that wearing the prosthetics all day was surprisingly comfortable, despite the extensive time spent in the makeup chair. “The makeup guys were so good; wearing this stuff all day was surprisingly comfortable,” he noted. Yet, despite the positive experience, Pitt made it clear that he wouldn’t be repeating the process anytime soon. “But, no, I won’t do it again.”

Pitt’s transformation in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was an extraordinary feat, as the actor underwent a series of looks that made him appear significantly older or younger throughout the film. The character’s transformation, combined with the impressive makeup work, is one of the standout aspects of the film, earning it several Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Pitt.

The experience was a rare instance where Pitt found himself spending long hours in the makeup chair, something he had previously been hesitant to do. Much like enduring a marathon haircut, the process required patience, but the results were undoubtedly worth it. Despite his reluctance, Pitt’s performance in Benjamin Button remains one of the most unique and memorable in his career.

While Pitt’s decision to break his long-standing rule for David Fincher may have been a tough one, it was ultimately a choice that paid off, contributing to a film that not only showcased his immense acting range but also pushed the boundaries of film technology. It’s a testament to the trust and collaboration between actor and director, and, as Pitt himself says, “I won’t do it again,” making this role a one-of-a-kind experience in his extensive career.