He’s Worked With Tarantino, Fincher, Malick… But Brad Pitt Still Has One Dream Director

After decades of working with some of the most revered directors in modern cinema — from David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino to Terrence Malick and the Coen brothers — Brad Pitt has revealed there's still one name he's holding out hope for: Paul Thomas Anderson.

Speaking on the New Heights podcast earlier this week, Pitt didn’t hesitate when asked who he’s still itching to collaborate with. "I’m a huge PTA fan. I think he’s just damn brilliant," he said. "Yeah. Love him. That’d be good." It wasn’t the first time he’s expressed admiration for Anderson’s work either. Back in 2019, Pitt couldn’t hide his delight when Phantom Thread came up in an interview — "That movie… delicious," he said with real affection, praising its use of 35mm and its meticulous craft.

His love for Punch-Drunk Love is equally well documented, particularly Adam Sandler’s performance, which Pitt has called one of his favourites. There were even whispers last year that he’d made a quiet visit to the set of Anderson’s upcoming film One Battle After Another. So, is this a hint of things to come, or just a case of one great artist admiring another from afar?

It’s curious, isn’t it? One of Hollywood’s last true movie stars, whose presence alone can get a film financed, and one of cinema’s most distinctive auteurs — and yet they’ve never teamed up. The chemistry seems inevitable. Brad Pitt’s recent roles have become more thoughtful and emotionally subtle — the kind of characters Paul Thomas Anderson brings to life so well. Whether the stars align remains to be seen, but many would agree: it’s a collaboration well worth hoping for.