He’s putting the kids first. Brad Pitt announced that he’s not attending a Wednesday, September 28, screening for his new film Voyage of Time because he’s focusing on family following his split from Angelina Jolie.
“[Filmmaker] Terrence [Malick]’s Voyage of Time is an incredibly beautiful and unique experimental IMAX film for children and families chronicling the birth of time,” the 52-year-old actor said of the movie, which he narrates, in a statement to Us Weekly Tuesday, September 27. “I’m very grateful to be part of such a fascinating and educational project, but I’m currently focused on my family situation and don’t want to distract attention away from this extraordinary film, which I encourage everyone to see.”
As fans know, Jolie, 41, filed for divorce from Pitt late last Monday, September 19, citing irreconcilable differences, after two years of marriage and 12 years together. She is seeking sole physical custody of the couple’s six children: Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8. Jolie, who is being represented by powerful Hollywood divorce attorney Laura Wasser, requested that Pitt only get joint legal custody.
Us Weekly exclusively revealed last week that the Fight Club actor was blindsided by the split and didn’t find out about Jolie’s decision until the day she filed divorce papers (which cited the official date of separation as September 15).
Days later, reports swirled that Pitt was being investigated for child abuse following a September 14 incident on the couple’s private jet. In a statement to Us, the FBI said it was “continuing to gather facts and will evaluate whether an investigation at the federal level will be pursued.”
Sources, meanwhile, told Us that the incident was caught on video and involved an intoxicated Pitt being verbally and physically abusive with his kids while arguing with Jolie.
Another insider told Us exclusively September 24 that Pitt “knows the severity of the allegations and wants to be cleared of abuse” before he reunites with his six children, whom he hasn’t seen since the Maleficent actress’ divorce filing.