Brad Pitt’s “gum-chewing, Gatorade-swilling, iPod addicted bubble brain” Chad character in the Coen Brothers film Burn After Reading ends up walking away with every scene he’s in, and as a result he’s the best thing about the movie. Which is not to mean that this a great movie. Far from it. It’s a mediocre Coen Brothers movie with a standout performance by Pitt.

His portrayal of a simple gym employee who gets sucked into international intrigue, serves as a counterpoint to the image of Pitt that we’ve seen in films like Babel and The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford. It’s obviously not his first comedic role, but it’s definitely the most vapid role he’s played since Floyd in True Romance. We caught up with him in Toronto, and you can find out about Chad, what he’s working on next, and life with Angelina, just beyond the break.

Who was the inspiration for your character?

That was all me.  That was all me in a former day.  I really don’t know.  It’s a mystery to even me and I’m somewhat disturbed by it all, including my other half.  She’s disturbed by it as well I think.  I can’t really say, it was just this idea of assuming or presuming a situation would go the way it’s supposed to go and it doesn’t.  Then not understanding how there is any other realm of possibility.

(Editor’s note… Brad Pitt might have drawn inspiration from the Pringle’s commercial he worked on back in 1989. Catch it at the end of the interview).

What was it like playing such a foolish character? You steal most of the film and seem to have a good gift for comedy.

[Deadpan] I’m surprised at that too.  I don’t understand.  *laughs* No, I’ve been knocking on the Coen Brothers’ door for a few years, so I was really happy that they called.  Then I read the piece and I was a little upset at them. *even more mirthful Brad Pitt laughter*

I’m not sure I can completely articulate, I’m kind of groping my way through it.  I guess I’ve been investing in American characters lately.  I find America really, really interesting in this last decade.  That’s been my focus.  As for comedies, I felt like I’ve been doing comedies for years.  Maybe they weren’t so funny.  The film coming up with David Fincher and Tilda is The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and I’m not sure how to describe it.  It’s a bit of a love letter to New Orleans, it’s a bit of a love letter to family, and the people who you meet at the dance of life along the way is the best way to describe it really.

What was it like playing a different role than what you’ve become accustomed to?

The leading man role is the guy who has the answers, can figure things out, and diffuse a bomb within seconds. It’s all experienced. All of that is pretty good for the ego sometimes.  It’s much more fun to play the guys who make the wrong choices, have limited experience, and make the wrong presumptions.  They have to deal with it from there.  That is all the fun we had with this one.

Did you approach this role any differently?

You approach them all the same way.  You just start understanding their arithmetic.  It’s how they view the world, give them the situation and see how they respond to it.  Its really no different, this one from any other one.  You just don’t know if it’s going to work or not.

What are you working on next? And would you work with Angelina Jolie again?

I’m working on stealing Tilda (Swinton) away from George (Clooney).  Tilda and I have Benjamin Button coming out in the fall, and Angie and I are working together every day, I guarantee you.