Share this @internewscast.com
Since the 1990s, Brad Pitt has stood as a formidable presence in Hollywood, maintaining his status as a box office draw. His star power is so potent that studios are willing to pay top dollar for his involvement; for instance, he reportedly secured a $30 million paycheck for the 2025 racing drama “F1.” Among his numerous acclaimed roles, his performance in the 1995 thriller “Seven” remains a highlight. However, not all of his notable works have been commercial successes, with the 2012 film “Killing Them Softly” being an underrated gem in his repertoire.
The Weinstein Company
In “Killing Them Softly,” Pitt reunites with director Andrew Dominik, who previously directed him in the 2007 film “The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford.” The movie features a talented ensemble cast, including Scoot McNairy, Ben Mendelsohn, James Gandolfini, and Ray Liotta. Pitt stars as Jackie Cogan, a mafia hitman tasked with cleaning up after three petty criminals rob a mob poker game, absconding with a six-figure sum. Cogan’s moral code complicates the mission, prompting him to consider enlisting another hitman to complete the task.
The film is an adaptation of George V. Higgins’ novel “Cogan’s Trade.” Director Andrew Dominik opted for a different title, explaining to USA Today that “Brad’s character calls what he does ‘killing them softly’ — with a minimum of fuss.” Dominik felt this phrase had cinematic appeal, unlike “Cogan’s Trade,” which he thought sounded more like a 1970s Clint Eastwood film. The new title was also chosen to reflect the film’s modern setting and highlight Cogan’s unique code of ethics.
Unlike certain productions that use working titles to maintain secrecy, Dominik had a distinct reason for withholding the film’s true title during shooting. He worried that if Pitt knew the title line, his delivery might become overly theatrical. “There’s a danger that the actor might make a meal out of the line,” Dominik explained, preferring a subtle performance from Pitt, which he ultimately achieved. Although “Killing Them Softly” didn’t resonate widely with audiences, it received critical acclaim, earning a 74% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The movie’s real title was kept a secret from Brad Pitt
The Weinstein Company/Melinda Sue Gordon
“Killing Them Softly” is based on the George V. Higgins novel “Cogan’s Trade.” So why didn’t the movie carry the same title? Well, director Andrew Dominik has a pretty simple explanation. “Brad’s character calls what he does ‘killing them softly’ — with a minimum of fuss,” Dominik told USA Today. “It sounded like a movie title to me. ‘Cogan’s Trade’ kind of sounds like a Clint Eastwood title to me from 1972.” The book was first published in 1974, so that could be why. But, ultimately, he wanted a title that felt more contemporary to match the film’s updated era — as well as focus on Jackie Cogan’s personal code of hitman ethics.
Unlike some films that use working titles (a practice that studios like Marvel have adopted to keep their projects tightly under wraps), Dominik had a very different reason for keeping the real title of his thriller a secret during filming. According to the director, he feared that if Brad Pitt knew the real name of the movie, it might have impacted the way he delivered the line that references it. “There’s a danger that the actor might make a meal out of the line,” Dominik said. He wanted Pitt’s delivery to be understated and not self-referential, and that’s exactly what happened. Sadly, general audiences didn’t vibe with the film, but most critics loved it — “Killing Them Softly” is Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 74%.
