Brad Pitt Talks About the Most Useless Direction He Ever Received

Brad Pitt has worked with some of the biggest directors in Hollywood, but not every note he has received over the years has been helpful. During a press interview for Bullet Train in 2022, the actor shared a story that still stands out to him as the most confusing piece of direction he has ever been given.

The moment came up while Pitt was speaking with the press alongside his Bullet Train co-stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Brian Tyree Henry. When asked about strange or unhelpful advice from directors, Pitt did not hesitate to answer, though he chose not to name the filmmaker involved.

I actually have an answer for this, Pitt said. I worked with this director, who may remain nameless, and he goes, ‘You know when a serial killer has a victim around the throat and chokes him till he passes out and then revives him so he can do it again? Do that!’

The comment immediately made the room laugh. Brian Tyree Henry jokingly suggested the director must have been Ted Bundy, while Aaron Taylor-Johnson followed up by saying it sounded more like Jeffrey Dahmer. Pitt laughed along, clearly amused by how extreme the comparison was.

The actor did not explain which role or scene the advice was meant for, but the story highlighted how strange some performance notes can be, even at the highest level of filmmaking.

Despite moments like that, Pitt’s career has continued to grow. After Bullet Train, he entered a new phase marked by both commercial success and critical praise. His racing film F1, directed by Joseph Kosinski, became the highest-grossing movie of his career and later received a surprise Best Picture nomination at the 2026 Academy Awards.

Pitt has also completed work on The Adventures of Cliff Booth, a spin-off from Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. The project is written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by David Fincher, reuniting Pitt with the filmmaker he previously worked with on Fight Club and Se7en.

Another upcoming project is Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer. The survival film follows a former Special Forces soldier and his retired military dog as they fight to stay alive in the wilderness. The movie also stars J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe and was filmed in New Zealand.

There is also ongoing talk about a possible Ocean’s 14. While nothing has been confirmed, reports suggest Pitt and George Clooney may return for another heist, this time under the direction of David Leitch.

What do you make of the director’s advice Pitt described? let us know in the comments.