Brad Pitt has invited his close friend, George Clooney, and the GQ team to his French winery for a photoshoot, amidst his ongoing legal battle with Angelina Jolie over the property. The photoshoot coincides with the release of their upcoming film, "Wolfs", and features a cover story for GQ's September issue, where the two actors open up about their long-standing friendship.
The interview and accompanying photoshoot took place at Château Miraval, the sprawling estate in Correns, France, where Pitt and Jolie were married in August 2014. The winery has become the focal point of a bitter legal dispute between the former couple, after Jolie sold her half of the property in 2021. They initially acquired the property in 2011.
According to GQ, Clooney and his wife, Amal Clooney, who have 7-year-old twins Alexander and Ella, purchased a home near Château Miraval three years ago. The article highlights Clooney's humorous reaction to the proximity of the two properties, saying, "Literally, I just drove from my house. Iâve been there for two years. Iâve never been here. Itâs nine minutes!"
During the interview, Pitt, referencing the vineyard and the property, expressed his desire to simply enjoy life with the people he loves, saying, "Iâm really just trying to enjoy the people that I love around me and just living. I donât know how to not sound cheesy about it, but just the air is fresh and grass is green and Iâve just kind of become that guy a little bit."
GQ has also shared a behind-the-scenes video from the photoshoot, offering a glimpse into the expansive location.
The legal actions surrounding the winery have been contentious, with Pitt and his company, Mondo Bongo, accused of turning Château Miraval "into their personal piggy bank." Tenute del Mondo, a subsidiary of the Stoli Group to whom Jolie sold her 50% stake, filed a countersuit in May, alleging that Pitt "caused millions of its funds to be spent on projects that benefit him personally, including more than $1 million on renovations for a swimming pool that only he uses."
A source familiar with the litigation refuted these claims, calling them "absurd" and asserting that Pitt "built Miraval, and his connection to it is a key reason for its success."
Jolie's legal team has stated that she attempted to sell her half of Miraval back to Pitt but withdrew from the deal due to disagreements over a non-disclosure agreement. In a July statement, her lawyer urged Pitt to "end the fighting and finally put their family on a clear path toward healing" by withdrawing his lawsuit.
Despite the ongoing legal dispute, both Jolie and Pitt are set to attend the Venice Film Festival in September. Jolie will be promoting the Pablo LarraÃn drama "Maria," while Pitt's "Wolfs" will also be showcased at the festival. "Wolfs" is scheduled for release in cinemas on September 20.
The photoshoot at Château Miraval, a location steeped in personal history and now tangled in legal battles, serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing complexities surrounding Pitt and Jolie's divorce and the continuing dispute over the winery. While the GQ cover story focuses on their friendship, the legal proceedings cast a shadow over the backdrop of the photo shoot, adding another layer to the saga of this high-profile Hollywood couple.
