Maddox, the eldest son of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has officially dropped the Pitt surname in the credits of Jolie’s latest film, Couture, marking the newest public sign of distance from his father. At 24 years old, Maddox is credited as Maddox Jolie in the movie, which opened in France on February 18, 2026, and reveals his increasing role behind the scenes in his mother’s filmmaking projects.
Expanded Role in Mother’s Latest Film Highlights Maddox’s Career Shift
In Couture, Maddox worked in a more significant capacity as either an assistant or third assistant director, showing his growing involvement in production. This contrasts with his previous role in Jolie’s 2024 film Maria, where he was credited as Maddox Jolie-Pitt, working only as a production assistant. This change in screen credit reflects a deliberate choice to no longer use his father’s surname professionally, aligning with shifts seen among his siblings.
Siblings Also Dropping Pitt Name Amid Private Family Struggles
Maddox is not alone in removing the Pitt name. His sister Shiloh legally dropped the Pitt surname in 2024, now going by Shiloh Nouvel Jolie, as confirmed in court records. Vivienne has similarly been credited as Vivienne Jolie in the Broadway musical The Outsiders, after reportedly requesting to omit her father’s last name. Zahara also appeared to drop the Pitt name when she introduced herself as Zahara Marley Jolie during a ceremony at Spelman College in November 2023.
Ongoing Rift Between Maddox and Brad Pitt Traces Back to 2016 Incident
The strained relationship appears linked to a widely reported altercation aboard a private jet in September 2016, just days before Angelina Jolie filed for divorce. Investigators looked into the episode but ultimately did not press charges. Since then, media reports suggest minimal contact between Maddox and Brad Pitt.
According to court documents and accounts from the time, a heated dispute unfolded on the plane involving Pitt and Jolie, witnessed by their children. Jolie accused Pitt of drinking heavily, yelling, and becoming physically aggressive toward her and at least one child. She described feeling like a hostage during the confrontation, which allegedly resulted in minor injuries and marked the turning point toward dissolving their marriage.
Jolie claimed Pitt shook and pushed her and damaged parts of the aircraft, while sources close to Pitt denied any intentional harm toward the children, stating contact was limited to a shoulder touch with Maddox. Despite this, the event deeply affected their family dynamic.
Long-Term Impact on Family Relationships and Legal Proceedings
Since the 2016 incident, Maddox has reportedly kept an emotional distance from his father, who continues legal efforts concerning custody and shared assets. The family’s ongoing disputes and public distancing by the children highlight the lasting impact of their troubled past.
“She told investigators that she felt like a hostage on the plane.” – Angelina Jolie
“A source close to Pitt denied that he intentionally harmed any of the children and said contact with Maddox was limited to his shoulder.” – Source close to Brad Pitt
Broader Family Dynamics and Public Repercussions
The removal of the Pitt surname by Maddox and other children signals deep fractures within one of Hollywood’s most high-profile families. As Maddox continues to build his own career under the Jolie name, the public separation seems to underscore the enduring fallout from past incidents. Observers will likely watch closely how these changes affect family relations and any future professional collaborations between Maddox, his mother Angelina Jolie, and his father Brad Pitt.
