Brad Pitt says life is 'better with a dog' as legal feud with ex Angelina Jolie drags on

Brad Pitt's just welcomed a new rescue to the pack. 

At the Franklin, Tennessee, premiere of his new film Heart of the Beast on Wednesday, the 62-year-old actor revealed he's added a third dog to his household, a rescue, joining his two existing pups, Jacques and Blackout Superstar.

In a new interview, Pitt joked that dogs don't really get jealous when a new addition arrives, saying they simply see it as more reason to celebrate. 

"We got a third now. So, yeah, a rescue," Pitt teased in an Extra interview. "Dogs are hilarious that way. They don't really get [jealous]. They just [get] more interested. Like, it's just more part of the party, isn't it?"

He reflected on how much joy dogs bring to daily life, saying no matter how rough a day gets, coming home to an excited, wagging tail has a way of putting things in perspective.

"Life's just better with a dog. It's just better with a dog. No matter how the day beats you up, you walk in the door, and there's that tail wagging and doing the wacha-cha and so happy to see you, and you go, 'All right. What am I complaining about?'"

The comment comes as Pitt continues to navigate a long-running legal dispute with ex-wife Angelina Jolie over their French winery, Château Miraval. The two have been locked in litigation since 2022, when Pitt sued Jolie for selling her stake in the property without his consent. 

Earlier this year, a court ruled in Pitt's favour, ordering Jolie to turn over private communications related to the sale, while a separate ruling allowed Pitt to also pursue legal action against the Russian businessman who purchased Jolie's share. Reports have suggested Pitt is hoping to resolve the ongoing legal battle sometime this year.

Despite the ongoing legal tension, Pitt appeared lighthearted at Wednesday's premiere, where his new film's dog-friendly theme took center stage. 

In Heart of the Beast, Pitt plays a retired Special Forces officer stranded in the Alaskan wilderness after a plane crash, relying on his loyal combat dog, Odin, played by German shepherd Uber. Asked how Uber compares to legendary co-stars like Anthony Hopkins, Al Pacino, and Morgan Freeman, Pitt jokingly ranked the dog right alongside them.

The premiere also featured four adoptable rescue dogs from the nonprofit Wags and Walks, who walked the red carpet alongside Pitt. He attended the event with girlfriend Ines de Ramon.

Pitt also spoke about why he's chosen to share more of his personal life with fans lately. 

"What else are we here for? You know, other than connect and take care of each other and, like, make each other better," he said. "The human struggle is real, you know? It's a challenge, and it's an obstacle course, and we need each other. We can't do it alone."

Heart of the Beast, directed by David Ayer and also starring J.K. Simmons and Anna Lambe, hits theaters September 25.