Brad Pitt is known for his work in an array of films, which has established him as one of the best and most high-profile film actors of this generation. From dramas to high-octane action films, he has done it all. With films like Fight Club, Se7en, Fury, Ocean’s film series, and many more. Despite having so many blockbuster titles under his belt, he lacks one film that was portrayed by Glen Powell, which he could have portrayed decades ago.

Brad Pitt’s in Fury. Credits: SONY PICTURES ENTERTAINMENT INC© Provided by FandomWire

However, one thing happened that changed the course of history and stopped him from creating the action comedy before the Anyone but You actor. Richard Linklater sheds light on the problem that hindered him from creating the film with the Meet Joe Black actor.

Glen Powell’s Hit Man Was Nearly Played by Brad Pitt

Glen Powell is one of the newest hot faces of Hollywood, and his recent box office hit Anyone but You with Sydney Sweeney made it clear, why he has already achieved the leading man status in a film. One of the key reasons that Powell has become such a big name is because he chooses his projects quite carefully, and such was the case with working in Richard Linklater’s Hit Man.

Glen Powell as Gary Johnson in Hit Man. Credits: Netflix© Provided by FandomWire

The film’s premise featured the Top Gun: Maverick actor as Gary Johnson, who worked for the cop as a fake murderer for hire as he could keep his cool in tense situations. However, sparks flew when he met Adria Arjona’s Maddy Masters, who wants to hire Johnson to take care of her abusive husband for good.

While Powell was outstanding in his role of a fake hit man, the role would have been portrayed by Brad Pitt. While speaking with Texas Monthly, the interviewer mentioned how Pitt’s company “optioned the story so he could play Gary.”

A still from Hit Man. Credits: Netflix© Provided by FandomWire

They even hired William Goldman to write a screenplay to make the idea a reality, but he could not do it, followed by other writers over the years. However, the idea came to life again during the pandemic, when Powell called him during the pandemic and asked him to read the 2001 Texas Monthly article “about a fake hit man.“ Linklater said,

He called me during the pandemic. He said, “Hey, you ought to read this article in Texas Monthly about a fake hit man.” I said, “Glen, I read that when you were in the sixth grade or whatever.” But we kept talking. Glen is funny and smart and a great collaborator.

The filmmaker opened up about how they had to make some minor changes to the film and soon the film was in production, that went on to become one of the biggest box office blockbusters.

Glen Powell’s Phone Call Resurrected The Once-Forgotten Idea

During the New York Film Festival in 2023, Richard Linklater decided to surprise the already elated fans as he decided to bring the family of the actor to the film’s premiere. Though the actor could not attend the event due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, the film had a great run and became a fan favorite watch.

Glen Powell in Hit Man. Credits: Netflix© Provided by FandomWire

During the post-screening Q&A session via USA Today, Linklater opened up about how in the early 2000s, a script “floated around” but nothing happened. He said,

Back there in the early 2000s, at some point Brad Pitt had optioned it. There was a script written. It just kind of floated around.

The director continued how the rights of the film were available again during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when Powell, happened to discover the original story of Texas Monthly.

He said,

Glen called me up and was like, ‘Hey, Rick, I read this article.’ And I was like, ‘Glen, I read that article when you were in junior high.’ And we just started talking.

The director also joked how Adria Arjona had to meet a lot of criteria before she joined the cast of the film. He added,

She had to check a lot of boxes. To be a proper femme fatale, you have to be like, ‘Would you give up everything you’ve worked for – your whole life – for her?’ Yes. She checked that box.

Nevertheless, the film has met the expectations of the viewers as it has entertained them in theatres, and it will continue to do so on the digital platform.