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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
James Brinsford

Brad Pitt 'feared Friends appearance with Jennifer Aniston due to live audience'

The one where Brad Pitt starred alongside Jennifer Aniston in Friends, almost didn't happen.

The Hollywood star went on to receive an Emmy nomination for his guest appearance alongside his wife at the time but he had huge reservations about accepting the role in the first place.

It was episode nine of season eight of the comedy, when Brad thrilled fans by starring with Jennifer in 'The One With The Rumor'

In a twist on their real life, Brad played Will Colbert, who was an old high school friend of Ross, played by David Scwhimmer, and Monica, who was played by Courteney Cox.

Brad Pitt with Jennifer Aniston in Friends (Splash)
Brad was unconvinced about starring in Friends to start with (Warner Bros)

The character had helped form the 'I Hate Rachel' club when at school - Rachel, of course, being played by Jennifer.

The show's creator, David Crane, told Hollywood Life that Brad needed some persuasion to do the role in the first place.

Speaking at the AT&T 5G Friends Fan Experience, Crane revealed: "I think [there was] a little bit [of hesitation]."

Brad and Jen were Hollywood's golden couple (NBC)
A scene from Friends in which Brad Pitt was to star (Warner Bros)

It turns out that how Friends was filmed proved to be a little daunting.

Crane continued: "Only because he’d never done TV in front of an audience, and it’s a very speciic skill set. I think it’s probably a little intimidating if you haven’t done it before.”

Landing Brad for the role was something that Crane admitted was a dream of the writing team, who really wanted him to say yes.

David Schimmer as Ross Geller, Brad Pitt as Will (Warner Brothers)
Brad and Jen in happier times during 2000 (Reuters)

He admitted that they "really went after" Brad as they desperately wanted him to act with Jennifer.

Crane continued: “Obviously, it was up to him, and it was up to [Jennifer], and it was just a great piece of casting. When he said yes, we were thrilled.”

Brad and Jen were in the middle of their relationship when the episode aired and despite there being some animosity when he hooked up with Angelina Jolie , the pair have since reconciled.

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