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Martial Arts Classics Get an AI Makeover: China’s Ambitious Kung Fu Film Heritage Project

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A recent announcement from the Shanghai International Film Festival has everyone who loves kung fu movies talking.

China is embarking on a monumental project to revive 100 classic kung fu films using artificial intelligence. And at the forefront of this ambitious “Kung Fu Film Heritage Project” are the legends themselves: Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan.

Two of the biggest stars of kung fu movies.

For fans who grew up marveling at Bruce Lee’s lightning-fast strikes in Fist of Fury or Jackie Chan’s innovative comedic stunts in Drunken Master, the prospect of seeing these cinematic treasures in a new light is exciting.

But it’s a little harder to get behind the idea that AI will just use these people and their movements to just come up with digital versions of the incredible work of these and many more actors.

Let’s dive in.


A New Era for Kung Fu Cinema?

The Heritage project aims to leverage AI to enhance image quality, sound, and overall production values, promising a viewing experience that “conforms to contemporary film viewing.”

It’s a bit of a remastering and then a bit of something entirely new.

Imagine watching Bruce Lee’s iconic mirror fight sequence with crystal-clear visuals and immersive sound, or Chan’s elaborate stunt choreography brought to life with unprecedented clarity.

They’re saying AI can do all this and more.

The China Film Foundation, along with partner studios, has pledged a substantial fund of approximately $13.9 million, inviting top AI animation companies worldwide to join what they’re calling a “film revolution that subverts tradition.”

This initiative highlights a fascinating divergence in how different global film industries are approaching AI.

While Hollywood grapples with ethical concerns and the potential impact on livelihoods, China is embracing AI as a powerful tool for cultural preservation and projection.

– YouTubewww.youtube.com

Balancing Innovation with Authenticity

The news of using AI to redo these movies also raises important questions. The core appeal of martial arts films often lies in the raw, unadulterated human prowess of their stars. Bruce Lee and Jackie Chan’s dedication to their craft, their physical feats, and their unique styles are what made them legends.

Will AI enhancements respect the integrity of these performances, or risk creating something that feels artificial or “waxy,” as some critics of AI-enhanced content fear?

Many of these movies still look good and have been appreciated for decades. Why change them now?

The project’s developers have assured that while visual and audio enhancements will be made, the original storytelling, character arcs, and cinematography will remain intact. This commitment to preserving authenticity is crucial.

Fans don’t want to see Bruce Lee’s fluid Wing Chun replaced by uncanny AI-generated movements, or Jackie Chan’s signature improvised stunts look too polished and devoid of their genuine, sometimes dangerous, charm.

Time will tell what is delivered.

– YouTubewww.youtube.com

More Than Just Restoration?

While the primary focus seems to be on restoration and enhancement, there are hints of more extensive “reimagining.”

Reports suggest that John Woo’s A Better Tomorrow is slated to become a “cyberpunk” AI-produced animated feature.

This indicates that the project might extend beyond mere cleanup and delve into creative reinterpretation, pushing the boundaries of what AI can do in filmmaking.

And that also raises questions about how projects are respected and remade.

– YouTubewww.youtube.com

Summing It All Up

Ultimately, the Kung Fu Film Heritage Project represents a bold leap into the future of film preservation and creation.

Only time will tell if AI will be the brush that truly revitalizes these cinematic masterpieces, or if the “soul” of these films remains inextricably tied to the human element that made them timeless.

Let us know what you think in the comments.



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Alker, Petrovic, Gonzalez lead Champions tour major at Firestone

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AKRON, Ohio — Tim Petrovic shot a 4-under 66 on Friday for a share of second-round lead with Steven Alker and Ricardo Gonzalez in the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions.

Petrovic closed with a birdie on the par-4 ninth to match Alker and Gonzalez at 5-under 135 at Firestone South. Alker, from New Zealand, had a 66. Gonzalez, the Argentine player who shared the first-round lead with Soren Kjeldsen, shot 68.

Miguel Angel Jiménez was a stroke back after a 66. Freddie Jacobson was 3 under after a 67.

Ángel Cabrera, who already has won two majors this year at the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional, was 1 under after a 68.

The winner of the tournaments gets a spot in The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass next year.

Firestone South previously hosted the World Series of Golf and then a World Golf Championship. It’s a strong test for players who next go to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado.



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Brad Pitt Opens Up About Attending AA Meetings After Split from Angelina Jolie

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  • In the June 23 episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, Brad Pitt opened up about attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings—which is where he actually met Shepard.
  • Pitt also shared that, following his split from Angelina Jolie, he began attending not just AA meetings but also immersing himself in therapy.
  • “It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting,” Pitt said in Monday’s episode.

Brad Pitt got vulnerable in a new interview about needing “rebooting” after his split from Angelina Jolie—which included attending Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meetings.

Speaking on the June 23 episode of Dax Shepard’s “Armchair Expert” podcast, the actor said he didn’t hesitate to open up in AA meetings because of how “desperate” he was in 2016, when he began attending meetings (which coincided with the time of his breakup with Jolie, with whom he shares six kids). Pitt and Shepard actually spoke about getting to know one another in said meetings, with Pitt calling them an “amazing thing.”

Brad Pitt on June 16, 2025.

Getty


“I just thought it was incredible men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it,” Pitt said on Monday’s episode (via People). “I thought it was a really special experience.”

Shepard—who has spoken openly about his struggles with sobriety—wondered if Pitt was “nervous” to talk with him in a public forum after meeting in AA, calling out the “really heightened honesty and vulnerability” of the meetings, but Pitt said he was “quite at ease.” 

Of beginning the meetings, “I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open,” Pitt said. “I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the fuck up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me.”

Brad Pitt on June 9, 2025.

Getty


Though he called himself a “stubborn fuck,” Pitt also said that “When I’ve stepped in shit, I’m pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it. And now it’s a quest to, you know, ‘What do I do with this? How can I right this?’ And make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Eventually, AA meetings became “something I’d look forward to,” he added. He also began therapy, he said.

Brad Pitt and girlfriend Ines de Ramon at the ‘F1’ premiere on June 16, 2025.

Getty Images


This isn’t the first time Pitt has shared that he attended AA meetings. The F1 star told The New York Times in 2019 that the experience “was actually really freeing to just expose the ugly sides of yourself. There’s a great value in that.”



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Why Whoopi Goldberg isn’t on ‘The View’ this week and when she’ll be back

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  • Whoopi Goldberg will be absent from The View all week.
  • The Oscar-winning actress is in Italy receiving an award for her book, Bits and Pieces.
  • The View will also go on a summer hiatus next week, with new episodes returning in July.

Oscar-winning actress Whoopi Goldberg is absent from The View this week, ahead of the long-running talk show going on its annual summer hiatus before it returns with new episodes later in July.

“We are all jealous of Whoopi today because she’s in Italy — I hope it’s 100 degrees,” comedian Joy Behar said at the top of Monday’s live show, announcing Goldberg’s temporary departure. “She’s in Italy accepting an award for her book Bits and Pieces, so she will be out this week.”

Entertainment Weekly has confirmed Goldberg will return to the Hot Topics table on July 7, following The View‘s annual summer hiatus, which typically sees the cohosts (also including Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Ana Navarro, and Alyssa Farah Griffin) taking off for the week of the July 4 holiday.

‘The View’ cohosts announce Whoopi Goldberg’s absence.

ABC


In Goldberg’s stead, Behar will serve as moderator — as she typically does on Fridays, which Goldberg has off each week — while Navarro also joined the Hot Topics table for Monday’s broadcast.

Goldberg earlier posted to Instagram a photo of herself accepting the honor on stage at the Taobuk Taormina International Book Festival, where she was lauded.

“Thank you (Grazie!) @taobukfestival for giving me a beautiful experience in an extraordinary environment, an honorable award and your kindness,” Goldberg wrote on the social media site. “Books are so important to all the world.”

Italy occupies a particularly special place in The View‘s travel-based history. Behar famously traveled to the European locale and came back with gifts in more than one sense, as she presented her colleagues with mini replicas of the statue of David with The View insignia over his crotch, and informed the cohosts of an incident that saw her call an Italian woman a bitch while aboard a passenger train.

Sign up for Entertainment Weekly‘s free daily newsletter to get breaking TV news, exclusive first looks, recaps, reviews, interviews with your favorite stars, and more.

“The people are nice, here and there. I had to call one woman the b-word, but that’s something else,” Behar said on the April 2023 episode. “I said it in English because she wouldn’t let me pee in the first-class lounge. I said, ‘Please, let me just go!'” Behar continued. “I said, ‘Listen, don’t be a bitch.’ She wouldn’t let me go.”

The View airs weekdays at 11 a.m. ET/10 a.m. PT on ABC.





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Kim Soo Hyun files additional lawsuit against Kim Sae Ron’s family: All about actor’s bombshell claims | Hollywood

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Actor Kim Soo Hyun has filed an additional lawsuit and criminal complaint against Garo Sero Research Institute operator Kim Se Ui and the family of the late actor Kim Sae Ron, as per a report by Koreaboo. He was already pursuing a defamation and false accusation case against Kim Sae Ron’s family.

File photo of Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Sae Ron(Gold Medalist, Netflix)

According to the report published on June 23, the My Love From Another Star actor’s legal representatives at LKB & Partners issued an official statement confirming that both the actor and his agency, Gold Medalist, had lodged further complaints. These new charges reportedly stemmed from claims made by Kim Se Ui during a press conference held on May 7.

AI-Generated audio used to falsely accuse Kim Soo Hyun, claim his reps

At the press event, Kim Se Ui reportedly played what he claimed was a voice recording of the late Kim Sae Ron, which he said proved a romantic relationship between the deceased actor and Soo Hyun that allegedly began while she was still in middle school.

Se Ui also claimed that Soo Hyun offered ₩4.00 billion KRW (approximately $2.91 million USD) to suppress the audio and later resorted to assault when the offer was allegedly refused. He further accused the actor of violating the Child Welfare Act – an extremely serious criminal charge in South Korea, as noted in the report.

However, the counsel for the It’s Okay to Not Be Okay star countered that the recording was created using AI deep voice technology and is entirely fabricated. In their statement, they said Kim Se Ui and Kim Sae Ron’s family went beyond spreading false information, filing a criminal complaint based on forged evidence. Labeling it a “serious case of false accusation,” they stated they intend to hold both parties “fully accountable.”

They further claimed that the parties breached legal and ethical standards by submitting manipulated/forged evidence, including the AI-generated audio file.

Actor and agency’s defamation suit against Kim Sae Ron’s family

Kim Soo Hyun had previously filed a ₩12 billion KRW (approximately $8.74 million USD) damages suit, a defamation case, and charges under the Sexual Crimes Special Act. Both Kim Soo Hyun and Gold Medalist remain committed to these legal actions, stating they are focused on protecting the actor’s dignity and reputation, according to the report.

LKB & Partners reiterated their stance, saying they will do everything in their power to ensure that Kim Se Ui and Kim Sae Ron’s family are held fully accountable under the law.

Background of the controversy

Rumors circulated that Kim Soo Hyun was in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron while she was still a minor. The controversy intensified after Kim Sae Ron died by suicide on February 16, 2025. The situation reportedly worsened following her May 2022 DUI incident, which led to financial disputes with her agency, Gold Medalist. Allegedly, Kim Soo Hyun distanced himself from her, despite her repeated attempts to seek help in repaying her debts.

After Sae Ron’s death, further allegations emerged, including leaked private photos and claims of a continued secret relationship.

Gold Medalist later confirmed a brief romantic relationship between the two actors but clarified that it occurred after Sae Ron turned 18. They also decided against providing a condolence payment to her family after a semi-nude photo of Kim Soo Hyun leaked, fearing it might be misinterpreted as an admission of guilt.

ALSO READ: Kim Soo Hyun slammed for ‘crocodile tears, Oscar-worthy act’ during press meet about Kim Sae Ron

FAQs:

What is the controversy surrounding Kim Soo Hyun?
The actor has been falsely accused of being in a relationship with Kim Sae Ron since her middle school years, based on an AI-generated audio file presented as real evidence.

Who is Kim Se Ui?
Kim Se Ui is the operator of the YouTube channel Garo Sero Institute, known for making controversial and often unverified claims about South Korean celebrities.

Why is AI voice technology a concern in this case?
The use of AI-generated audio played a central role in fabricating false claims, raising serious concerns about digital misinformation and defamation.

What legal action has Kim Soo Hyun taken so far?
He has filed multiple lawsuits, including for defamation, false accusations, and violations under the Sexual Crimes Special Act, along with a ₩12 billion KRW damages claim.

What happens next?
The case is expected to proceed through the courts, with Kim Soo Hyun’s legal team committed to pursuing justice and protecting the actor’s name.



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Miguel Angel Jimenez shoots 66 at Firestone for share of lead in PGA Tour Champions major

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AKRON, Ohio — Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a 4-under 66 on Saturday for a share of the lead with Steven Alker in the Kaulig Companies Championship, the third major of the year on the PGA Tour Champions.

Seeking his four victory of the year, Jimenez played a five-hole stretch in the middle of the round at Firestone South in 4 under, making birdies on Nos. 7-8 and 10-11. The 61-year-old Spanish star dropped a stroke on the par-3 12th, then parred the final six holes.

Alker, tied for the second-round lead, had a 67 to match Jimenez at 8-under 202.

Jimenez won the Trophy Hassan II in February in Morocco, the Hoag Classic in March in Newport Beach, California, and the Principal Charity Classic in a playoff three weeks ago in Des Moines, Iowa. He has 16 career victories on the 50-and-over tour.

Alker birdied the par-4 17th to pull even with Jimenez, then made a 5-footer for par on the par-4 18th after missing the green long and left. The 53-year-old from New Zealand won the Cologuard Classic in March in Tucson, Arizona for his ninth Champions title.

Michael Wright (66) and Freddie Jacobson (67) were tied for third at 6 under. Richard Green (67) was 5 under.

The winner will get a spot in The Players Championship at the TPC Sawgrass next year.

Firestone South previously hosted the World Series of Golf and then a World Golf Championship. It’s a strong test for players who next go to the U.S. Senior Open in Colorado.

Angel Cabrera, who already has won two majors this year at the Regions Tradition and the Senior PGA Championship at Congressional, was 2 over after a 73.





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Christine Baranski Has the Range: On Psychedelics, Trump Resistance, and, Yes, ‘Mamma Mia! 3’

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Few actors can deliver a withering one-liner like Christine Baranski. Her crisp diction and icy stare are used to great effect in the third season of The Gilded Age as she looses zingers like “Let the sober circus begin,” about her sister’s efforts to curb community alcohol use, and “It’d be easier if he were dead,” in regard to a friend’s divorce. Baranski’s Agnes van Rhijn has relinquished her status as head of household to her newly endowed sister, Ada (Cynthia Nixon)—but she isn’t fading into the background.

Neither is Victoria, the other wounded rich lady Baranski plays this summer. The stylish, secretive guest can be found on season two of Nine Perfect Strangers, engaging in some unorthodox wellness therapy in the Alps alongside her estranged daughter, Imogen (Annie Murphy). Like Agnes, Victoria’s got a way with words: “Everything is optional, darling. Life is optional,” she tells Imogen. Later, she compares the Vatican to the Golden Globes: “Darling, they’re both just money-laundering schemes with fabulous wardrobes.”

Who doesn’t love to watch a wealthy woman behaving badly? But that’s not the only card in Baranski’s deck. “I’ve been around for a long time—and always ever-evolving,” says the Emmy- and two-time Tony-winning actor, recently dubbed “America’s treasure” by Stephen Colbert. The Juilliard-trained performer, who turned 73 in May, once told Vanity Fair that her greatest regret is that she “can’t remember every detail of what has been a wonderful life.” Below, Baranski shares a few lasting memories from a five-decade career on stage and screen.

Vanity Fair: You typically play sophisticated, wealthy, sometimes emotionally distant characters—and yet people still feel connected to them and you as a performer. How do you pull that off?

Christine Baranski: People with great strength still have vulnerabilities. Sometimes a very strong exterior or a forceful personality can hide a lot of pain. So when I’m exploring a character, I look for as many deep secrets as I can to explore—not just their strengths, but some of the not-so-obvious things. A lot of the characters I play are women who out in the world have to present themselves in a powerful way.

Given your reputation for playing elegant women, what would you say is the most déclassé or down-to-earth thing about you?

Oh my goodness. Most people don’t know I’m a very loud Buffalo Bills fan.

I’m from Kansas City, so I hope you won’t hold that against me.

Oh no, the Chiefs! It does amuse me that I’m from a blue-collar neighborhood in Buffalo, New York. We’re a sports town. I now have four grandsons, and I’m the loud person cheering for them on the sidelines at their games. I think people would be surprised that a woman who puts herself together like this and loves opera is actually a rather loud sports fan, particularly football.

What was it like to return to The Gilded Age when the show’s third season wasn’t guaranteed?

I know, we were rather on tenterhooks. But at the end of season two, my character has lost all her money. And suddenly Ada, my sister, loses her husband, which is tragic. But she then inherits all this money, which saves the household. We’re overjoyed that we’ll be able to maintain the lifestyle that we have, but the final moment [of the season] is Ada realizing that she holds the purse strings and is going to be calling the shots in the household. And we just thought, We’ve got to have a season three, because it would be so fun to see these two women in this upended power dynamic.



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3 men dead after jumping into water at California’s Rattlesnake Falls

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Three people were found dead over the weekend following a multi-day search and rescue mission at Rattlesnake Falls in California.

On Wednesday, June 18, the Placer County Sheriff’s Office received a report about the individuals entering the water in the Soda Springs area, according to a news release.

Officials learned that the missing men were part of a hiking group when they decided to jump into Rattlesnake Falls and failed to resurface, prompting ground and aerial search efforts.

The other men who were with them were evacuated via helicopter on June 19 because the area is “remote” and a “difficult trail.” California Highway Patrol assisted with this rescue.

‘Heartfelt condolences’

Deputies said search operations continued throughout the week, but were disrupted due to weather conditions and strong currents.

The Placer County Sheriff’s Office announced on June 22 that “the bodies of the three men have been recovered.”

They have been identified as Matthew Schoenecker of Los Angeles, Matthew Anthony of New York City, and Valentino Creus of Los Angeles, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Our heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” the statement continued.

A volunteer diver involved in the mission said in a Facebook post that he and another person had to hike for more than three hours to get to the area before diving into the “ice water” several times.

“We couldn’t wait. I knew it could take weeks to surface. Families needed to close this chapter already,” Juan Heredia wrote, adding that they called the sheriff’s office around 9 p.m.

“What surprised me was the sergeant’s response: ‘We’re going to send a team to walk right now to take care of the bodies,'” the post continued.

Soda Springs is approximately 26 miles from Lake Tahoe.

Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@gannett.com.

(This story was updated to include video.)



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Brad Pitt ‘Needed Rebooting’ in AA amid Angelina Jolie Split

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NEED TO KNOW

  • Brad Pitt opened up to Dax Shepard on the latest episode of his podcast, Armchair Expert, which landed on Monday, June 23
  • The Oscar winner spoke about his time in Alcoholics Anonymous and said he didn’t hesitate to open up due to how “desperate” he was when he began the program
  • Pitt previously said he joined AA in 2016, around the time of his split from ex, Angelina Jolie

Brad Pitt is opening up about his experience with Alcoholics Anonymous. 

The 61-year-old Oscar winner opened up about the experience on the Monday, June 23 episode of Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard. The two actors also spoke about getting to know one another in an AA meeting. 

Pitt called AA an “amazing thing,” noting, “I just thought it was just incredible men sharing their experiences, their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches, and a lot of humor with it. I thought it was a really special experience.”

Brad Pitt on the ‘F1’ red carpet in Mexico City on June 9.

Medios y Media/Getty


Shepard, 50, who has been very open about his struggles with substance abuse and sobriety, wondered if Pitt was “nervous” to speak with him publicly after they met in AA, noting the “really heightened honesty and vulnerability” of the situation.

But Pitt assured him that he was, “Quite at ease.”

Brad Pitt attends ‘F1’ premiere in New York on June 16.

ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty


Pitt also shared that while he was a bit “shy” coming into the AA group, he also didn’t hesitate to open up because of how low he was at that time.

“I was pretty much on my knees, and I was really open,” he told Shepard. “I was trying anything and everyone. Anything anyone threw at me. It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting. I needed to wake the f— up in some areas. And it just meant a lot to me.”

Brad Pitt attends ‘F1’ premiere in New York City on June 16.

XNY/Star Max/GC Images


As well as referring to himself as a “stubborn f—,” Pitt also noted some of his more positive qualities.

“When I’ve stepped in s—, I’m pretty good at taking responsibility for it and owning up to it. And now it’s a quest to, you know, ‘What do I do with this? How can I right this?’ And make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

Pitt said that after a few sessions, AA meetings became “something I’d look forward to.”

The F1 star added that he approached therapy with a similar openness, saying, “When I jumped into therapy then, I was just like, ‘And I did this and I did that and da da da da,’ “ calling his approach “desperate.”

Dax Shepard kisses a photo of Brad Pitt on Instagram.

Dax Shepard/Instagram


“Yeah. You don’t come into AA because everything’s working out fantastic,” Shepard agreed.

“No. That’s usually not the entry point,” Pitt quipped in response. 

“It’s not the winner’s club,” Shepard added. “Your hair has gotta be on fire before you go like, ‘Yeah, I’ll go hang with a bunch of dudes and talk about emotions.’ “

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Pitt first opened up about his time in AA in a 2019 profile for the New York Times. He shared that he entered the program in 2016 after his ex, Angelina Jolie, first filed for divorce. 

“It was actually really freeing to just expose the ugly sides of yourself,” he told the outlet of entering the program at the time. “There’s a great value in that.”  



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Brad Pitt details first AA meeting after ‘difficult’ Angelina Jolie divorce

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Once upon a time in Hollywood, Brad Pitt attended his first AA meeting.

The “F1” star broke down the “amazing” experience on Monday’s episode of the “Armchair Expert” podcast.

The actor, 61, recalled being “pretty much on [his] knees” and needing “to wake the f–k up in some areas.”

Brad Pitt detailed his first AA meeting post-Angelina Jolie divorce. WireImage
The actor discussed the experience on Monday’s “Armchair Expert” podcast. Armchair Expert Podcast
The “F1” star remembered being “on [his] knees” and needing “to wake the f–k up” at the time. GC Images

Pitt explained, “I was trying anything and everything, anything anyone threw at me. … It was a difficult time. I needed rebooting.”

While the Oscar winner did not specify when the Alcoholics Anonymous meeting took place, he previously told the New York Times that he went for a year and a half following his 2016 divorce from Angelina Jolie.

Host Dax Shepard praised Pitt on Monday for being “so f–king honest” at the time.

“It was a difficult time,” Pitt said. “I needed rebooting.” Armchair Expert Podcast
He “really grew to love” attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. GC Images

Pitt admitted that while it felt daunting as his turn was “coming around” the circle, he felt inspired after watching “everyone [being] so open.”

He remembered, “It gives you permission to go, ‘OK, I’m gonna step out on this edge and see what happens.’ And then I really grew to love it.”

The Golden Globe winner noted that witnessing Shepard’s own honesty “meant a lot to” him.

The Oscar winner previously said he attended meetings for a year and a half. Armchair Expert Podcast
Pitt “removed [his] drinking priviliges” after his 2016 split from Jolie. WireImage

“Dax was usually near the end because he’s been there awhile,” Pitt said, comparing the former “Punk’d” prankster, 50, to “an elder statesman” who injected “humor” into his wisdom.

He called the meeting “a really special experience coming from the Ozarks” where he grew up hearing men insist that “everything is great.”

Pitt gushed, “I just thought it was incredible, men sharing their experiences with their foibles, their missteps, their wants, their aches and a lot of humor with it.”

The couple called it quits after an allegedly violent incident on a plane. REUTERS
The former couple share six kids, most of whom Pitt is reportedly estranged from. Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

When the “Fight Club” star first went public with his AA attendance — and subsequently “got admonished by a higher up” — he said it was “freeing” to “expose the ugly sides of” himself.

“I had taken things as far as I could take it, so I removed my drinking privileges,” Pitt added during the 2019 interview.

His drinking problem is said to have contributed to the downfall of his and Jolie’s marriage, which ended after a 2016 plane incident.

Jolie, 50, claimed in court documents that her then-husband physically harmed her and one of their six kids — Maddox, 23, Pax, 21, Zahara, 20, Shiloh, 19, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 16.

The duo were declared legally single in 2019, with their divorce finally settled last year. Getty Images
Pitt has since moved on with girlfriend Ines de Ramon. ZUMAPRESS.com

The “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” co-stars were declared legally single in 2019 and settled their divorce last year.

Pitt, who has moved on with girlfriend Ines de Ramon, is currently estranged from his eldest children despite “several efforts to reconnect” but does see Knox and Vivienne “periodically,” according to Us Weekly.

Vivienne, notably, ditched her dad’s last name in the 2024 “Outsiders” playbill, with Zahara doing the same in her sorority introduction and Shiloh even recently taking legal action to drop the surname.



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