Brad Pitt Says Indie Films Feel ‘As Strong as in the ‘90s’ but Admits Mid-Budget Movies Are Struggling

The Hollywood heavyweight believes independent cinema is enjoying a resurgence reminiscent of the 1990s. However, he admitted that mid-budget movies like his own face an uphill battle.

Brad Pitt has a cautiously optimistic outlook on the state of cinema and Hollywood at large. The "Fight Club" star shared his thoughts during a press stop for his latest film, "Heart of the Beast," at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Wednesday, September 23.

He was joined by the film's director, David Ayer, best known for "Training Day." During the conference, Pitt was asked about his producing outfit and what he makes of the current indie film landscape.

"I think the current setup has actually been really conducive to independent [films], in a really cool way because more eyes are getting on these projects. It feels even as strong as in the '90s," he said, before turning to Ayer for his take.

"I think there's new pipelines of discovery out there, new auteurs. We have people coming in off YouTube or the internet," Ayer chimed in, pointing to young horror directors Curry Barker and Kane Parsons, "but now we're seeing what I believe may be the ascent of it, as we find filmmakers in that space, but also as young people matriculate into the industry."

"They have much different tastes, and they grew up on a different sense of media than we did," Ayer continued. "So I'm actually very excited about the future and future opportunities and future stories that are going to be told."

The conversation also turned to the consolidation of Hollywood, as the Paramount-WBD merger draws closer and streaming platforms continue to dominate the industry. "What I love about what streaming has brought to us is so many more opportunities for actors, writers, directors," Pitt replied.

He continued, "And because of that, we have a greater plethora of really interesting stories and really interesting talents, and that's been amazing. Of course, we had a dip — and we're seeing that come back; we're seeing the communal experience being embraced again."

The actor went on to acknowledge that rising production costs have reshaped the industry. He noted that while major blockbusters can still recoup their investment, independent and mid-budget films, those costing roughly $30 million to $60 million, now struggle to get off the ground.

He added that even his own projects face this challenge, since studios find it difficult to make back a middle-tier budget. With a laugh, Pitt said he hopes such films continue to receive support, admitting that the middle ground is usually where he lands.

Later in the press conference, Pitt was asked to reflect on the emotional connection between his character, James, and his canine companion, Odin, as well as why such bonds hold so much weight in real life.

"Heart of the Beast" sees the Oscar winner take on the role of a former Special Forces officer who, with his retired combat dog by his side, must fight to survive in the Alaskan wilderness following a harrowing plane crash.

"James and Odin are both extremely capable creatures. They've been trained. They've been hardened. They've been proven," But it was more their bond between each other," he said.

"We would fight more for another than we would even for ourselves, and that kind of care and love and loyalty kept them both points in our film, and I think that's also true love," Pitt continued.

Reflecting on his own life, the actor opened up about the relationships that carried him through difficult times. He added, "When I think of the darker days, certainly my close relationships, I relied heavily on friends, dear close friends, a handful of close family, and was very open about my growth."