Five years. That's how long I chased this one. A script by Cameron Alexander that I fell in love with the moment I read it â a film that had passed through a lot of hands over the years, none of which quite knew what they were holding or how to treat it. I did. So I kept knocking, and I waited, until it was finally mine to look after.
I grew up around German Shepherds. My mum breeds and trains them, and I've always believed they're the best breed going â full stop. I wanted to make the definitive German Shepherd film, and in Cameron's pages, I saw it.
We redeveloped it together and brought on Andrew Simpson, the best dog trainer in the business â if you've seen the Malinois in John Wick, you've seen his work. Then I handed it to two dear friends, Damien Chazelle and Olivia Hamilton, who saw exactly what I saw: a gritty survival thriller made for the big screen. They took it to Paramount, who fell for it as hard as we had. Before I knew it, Brad Pitt had come aboard, with David Ayer directing â an absolute maestro â and we were shooting in New Zealand.
Here's the part that still gets me. Back in the 90s at Pinewood, I was a runner making Brad his tea and coffee on Interview with the Vampire. To now be one of the producers on what may be one of his very best films⌠I don't have a word for it other than: pinch me.
HEART OF THE BEAST. In cinemas September 25th.
I am so proud of this one. It's everything I hoped it would be.
And look â everybody loves a dog. It's about the only thing the whole world agrees on. So let me put your mind at ease right now: the dog does not die. You're welcome. đž
Itâs not who you live for⌠Itâs who youâd die for. Watch Brad Pitt in the new trailer for David Ayerâs HEART OF THE BEAST - only in theatres September 25th.