Brad Pitt may have celebrated his 61st birthday on December 18, but it seems his ex-wife, Angelina Jolie, had little time for reflection on the past. Instead, she was spotted in Paris, making the most of her professional and personal life. Alongside their eldest son, Maddox, Jolie was busy filming scenes for her upcoming project Stitches, a fashion drama that’s generating buzz as her next big hit.
Maddox, now 23, has been involved in the production, serving as the third assistant director on the film. This isn’t his first collaboration with his mom; he also worked as an assistant director on her past films Maria and Without Blood, and even executive produced First They Killed My Father in 2017. While Jolie focused on her role in front of the camera, looking chic in a leather coat and gray sweater, Maddox casually walked around the set in an all-black ensemble, fully embracing his filmmaking role.
In contrast, Brad Pitt appears to be struggling with his relationship with their children. Reports suggest he has been longing for a closer bond, especially during the holidays. The ongoing legal battles over their French vineyard and custody arrangements have only further strained his relationship with their six children—Maddox, Pax, Zahara, Shiloh, and 16-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne. Some of the children have even chosen to distance themselves, with a few reportedly dropping Pitt’s surname entirely.
Jolie, on the other hand, has been keeping her kids close and visible, with Zahara also spotted on set during filming, although it’s unclear if she has an official role. For Pitt, these public displays of family unity likely serve as a painful reminder of his fractured relationship with his children. Sources claim he feels that Jolie is purposely pushing his buttons by involving their kids in her projects so prominently.
While Pitt grapples with his family situation, Jolie has made it clear that being a mother comes first. In a recent promotional interview for her film Maria, she stated, “My work is not everything. Being a parent is everything,” highlighting her dedication to her children despite her busy career.
The ex-couple, who divorced in 2016, have been embroiled in a long-standing legal battle, with no end in sight. Despite the tension, a Hollywood producer is reportedly hoping to capitalize on their on-screen chemistry by pitching a $60 million WWII-inspired romance with the two in mind. However, given their contentious history, a professional reunion seems highly unlikely.
For now, Jolie continues to thrive both as a filmmaker and a mother, while Pitt faces what could be a lonely holiday season amid ongoing family struggles.