Rumor has it, the 53-year-old actor has fallen for the aspiring actress, who played the young version of Jolie's titular character in 2014's 'Maleficent'.
- Oct 19, 2017
AceShowbiz - It seems like Brad Pitt is finally over Angelina Jolie. The "Allied" actor hasn't exactly been dating since his bitter split from the "Salt" actress a year ago, but if a new In Touch report is to be trusted, he finally has moved on from his ex-wife as he's "so enchanted" with a much younger woman.
The woman in question is none other than 21-year-old actress Ella Purnell, who played the young version of Jolie's titular character in 2014's "Maleficent". Allegedly blown away by her work in 2016's "Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children" and this year's "Churchill", the 53-year-old actor/producer "jumped at the chance" to work with Purnell when his production company, Plan B, began to develop a drama, which is based on a novel about a New York City waitress.
"Brad had Ella in mind from the get-go. He went out of his way to cast her," the source tells the publication. "Ella is incredibly flattered by all the attention she's getting from Brad," the source adds. "She's told friends he's always been her No. 1 celebrity crush."
The pair's flirtation is said to have Angelina "seeing red." The 42-year-old actress is "furious about Brad's interest in Ella and her being cast [on] 'Sweetbitter'," says the source. "She absolutely hates that Brad is cavorting with someone who played the teenage version of her in a film."
The 32-year age gap between Pitt and Purnell allegedly irks her, too. The source says Jolie has noted that Purnell is only five years older than 16-year-old Maddox, one of the six children she shares with the "War Machine" actor. Pitt is also said to be well aware of the fact that he's old enough to be Purnell's dad.
"He realizes the huge age difference," says the source, "and that everyone would look at the relationship as a midlife crisis mistake." However, Pitt's attraction is more than just physical, according the source, who reveals, "He's taken with Ella's spunky, funny demeanor and formidable acting skills."
"Although Brad's been working on his sci-fi space travel film 'Ad Astra', he's been checking in with Ella weekly as she preps for production," claims the insider, adding that "Brad plans on coaching Ella for the show. He's sure it's going to be a hit and that it's going to make Ella a star."
Things between Pitt and Purnell may remain platonic at the moment, but that won't last long, the source predicts. "It's only a matter of time before Brad takes their relationship to the next level," the insider notes.
