Brad undercover? NZ stirs to Pitt patter
27 Jul 2010
New Zealand is sizzling with the possibility that a mystery visitor to Wellington’s film centre could be none other than sexy Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt.
Unconfirmed sightings of the international jetsetter - and one half of Hollywood power couple ‘Brangelina’ - have been reported in New Zealand’s capital, where Pitt allegedly sat down to a quiet dinner in an Indian restaurant in suburban Miramar.
Internet websites and Twitter have been running rife with speculation about why Brad Pitt may have visited the 'Land of the Long White Cloud'.
Some speculate that Pitt could be here to discuss a possible movie venture with acclaimed Kiwi filmmaker Sir Peter Jackson.
Others claim that he’s on sabbatical, temporarily swapping Angelina and his six kids for New Zealand’s laid-back lifestyle and low-key attitude towards celebrities, as seen during the filming of the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Pitt is due to next star in a film adaptation of the Max Brooks’ post-apocalyptic zombie novel World War Z.
Breaking bread with Brad
Staff at Tulsi - a local restaurant chain serving contemporary Indian cuisine - told local newspapers that ‘Brad’ had dinner at about 6.30pm, sat in a corner booth and ordered chicken korma, butter chicken and garlic naan.
Tulsi is just a few kilometres away from Park Road Post production facilities in Miramar, and round the corner from Sir Peter Jackson’s Weta Workshop.
Restaurant manager Makesh Bartwal said staff could not be entirely certain it was definitely Pitt, because of the dim mood lighting. The mystery diner was reportedly trying to keep things low key by wearing nondescript clothing and a cap.
"There are so many celebrities that come and we hardly know them because we are not very fond of Hollywood movies."
Most of Tulsi’s Indian staff are more likely to get excited over big Bollywood stars, said Bartwal.
A spokesperson for Positively Wellington Tourism said it seemed "highly likely" that Pitt would choose to visit Wellington.
"We have so many celebs through that it's hard to keep track of them all. Hollywood...Wellywood, not much difference there."
Family holiday destination
While the rumours about Brad Pitt’s Kiwi holiday remain unconfirmed - Hollywood’s brightest superstar should definitely consider New Zealand as his next destination for a family vacation.
Lord of the Rings stars Orlando Bloom and Liv Tyler have both previously raved about Kiwi hospitality and the warm yet unobtrusive welcome they received in New Zealand while filming.
Tyler swears by Wellington ‘facialist to the stars’ Margaret Hema. Hema hand-blends her own range of facial oils, which has a fan list as star-studded as the opening of a Hollywood blockbuster. Tyler took home Hema products for her father, rock star Steve Tyler and her New York hairdresser.
New Zealand’s diverse landscape would also offer plenty of attractions for Brangelina’s lively brood.
While Brad and Angelina enjoy bungy at the home of the bungy, or sample top Kiwi wine and food at Wellington's legendary Matterhorn, the kids could have an afternoon out on the water dolphin or whale watching, visit one of the many world-class wildlife sanctuaries and zoos around the country, or spend an educational afternoon at Te Papa, New Zealand’s ground-breaking national museum in Wellington that’s a favourite with local kids.
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