Allied star Brad Pitt was delighted to be on a back-to-basics set

Marion Cotillard and Brad Pitt in Allied (Allstar/PARAMOUNT PICTURES)

WHEN the news of Brangelina’s split hit the headlines in September, the world was shocked.

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie — to give the couple their full names — had seemed to be living an idyllic existence.

But when their separation became public, some tabloids suggested the split was a result of Brad having a fling with his Allied co-star Marion Cotillard.

That seems to have been nothing more than gossip, but it is a bit curious that one of Brad’s first films after his split is a similar plot to the movie where he met Angelina.

Mr & Mrs Smith, released in 2005, saw a pair of married assassins — played by the couple — pitted against one another.

Allied, in cinemas this week, is based on a similar — apparently-true story — of two assassins during the Second World War who fall in love.

When Max Vatan (Pitt) is ordered to kill his wife (Cotillard) or risk being executed himself, things get complicated.

Unlike Mr & Mrs Smith, however, Allied is set during an era that Brad seems to favour.

“I do seem to end up in Second World War films of late,” he smiles.

“I had a meeting with Steven Knight, the writer, years ago when we were shooting World War Z, and he began to tell me the story before he’d written it.

“It was based on members of his family and, cut to so many years later, here we are, so it’s nice to see this thing a little closer.”

Brad was excited this film was made in a similar way to movies of the golden age of Hollywood, when filming took place on the back lot of a set with fake scenery.

Director Robert Zemeckis took that approach with Allied, adding in any special effects later, digitally.

“My favourite locations for filming were things we did on set, as it was a throwback to all the old 40s films, where you’d be in a stationary car and you see a rear projection,” enthuses Brad.

“That was the most fun for me — to approach this film like the old 40s ones, but with new technology.

“We could be sitting on a sand dune and you don’t know if we’re in a tent or if we’re actually in the Sahara.”

If filming like the old acting legends was fun for Brad, the same can certainly be said for Marion, who grew up watching movies from that era.

“This film is very particular for me because I never had princess dreams when I was a kid,” reveals Marion, who is expecting her second child with her partner of eight years, Guillaume Canet.

“I really wanted to be an actress, but this is kind of my princess dream as a kid coming true, because I was dreaming in front of those old movies.

“I was a big fan of Audrey Hepburn and Greta Garbo and the glamour of this era.

“To be part of such a beautiful, strong, deep and yet glamorous movie, that’s my princess dream.”

The downside to the film must have been the rumours about an affair with Brad, and she was forced to issue a statement to put the gossips firmly back in their place.

“I am not used to commenting on things like this nor taking them seriously,” she admits.

“But as this situation is spiralling and affecting people I love, I have to speak up.

“Many years ago, I met the man of my life, father of our son and of the baby we are expecting.

“He is my love, my best friend, and he is the only one that I need.”

Allied is in cinemas from Friday, November 25.

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