Brad Pitt to Star as 1970s Sky-Walking Ironworker in Apple’s “Connector”

admin · November 13, 2026 · 5 min read

Illustrative image of a 1970s New York ironworker walking a steel beam high above the city skyline for Apple's film "Connector" starring Brad Pitt.

Apple Original Films has landed “Connector,” a 1970s New York drama starring Brad Pitt as a sky-walking ironworker, with “Sound of Metal” director Darius Marder set to direct. Apple announced the project on Thursday, November 12, after Deadline first reported the deal as an exclusive, and Apple TV confirmed the news by sharing Deadline’s report on social media.

A Working-Class Legend High Above 1970s New York

“Connector” is described as a 1970s New York epic about a working-class legend, a sky-walking ironworker who takes on forces larger than himself. Pitt will play the ironworker at the center of the story, a man who earns his living walking steel beams hundreds of feet above the city streets.

Marder will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with his sister, Nina Marder, based on a story by Derek Cianfrance. Pitt will also produce the film through his company Plan B Entertainment, alongside his partners Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner. Marder will produce as well, and Apple Studios will serve as the studio behind the project.

The film is in development and has no release date or budget yet. According to Deadline, Pitt, Plan B, and Marder had discussed the project for some time, and once the latest draft of the script came in, Pitt was “high on potentially making it the next thing he would shoot in 2027.” The Playlist has reported that Apple will fast-track the film so it is the first thing Pitt shoots in 2027, but Apple has not confirmed any shoot dates.

Marder’s First Feature Since “Sound of Metal”

“Connector” will be Marder’s first feature film since his Oscar-winning debut “Sound of Metal.” The 2019 drama starred Riz Ahmed as a drummer who begins to lose his hearing, and it earned six Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay. It won Oscars for Best Sound and Best Film Editing. Marder also co-wrote “The Place Beyond the Pines.”

The project extends a partnership between Apple, Pitt, and Plan B that has already produced a major hit. “F1,” the racing drama starring Pitt, became Apple’s highest-grossing film and the highest-grossing sports feature of all time, earning $634.1 million worldwide, according to IndieWire, and receiving a Best Picture nomination. Apple released it in cinemas with Warner Bros. as its partner before it arrived on Apple TV. Pitt also co-starred with George Clooney in Apple’s “Wolfs” in 2024.

Apple and Plan B have two more films in the pipeline. Apple Original Films will soon release a Mark Wahlberg-led feature from Plan B, written and directed by Stephen Chbosky and titled “Weekend Warriors,” according to The Playlist. The studio also recently landed “The Waffle House Index,” with Plan B attached to produce and Inde Navarrette attached to star.

Why This Matters

The announcement shows Apple doubling down on large-scale, star-driven films after the success of “F1.” Pairing Pitt with Marder, a filmmaker whose debut earned six Oscar nominations, signals that Apple is aiming for prestige as well as box office, and the 1970s New York setting gives the project a period flavor that has served Pitt well in past roles.

For Marder, “Connector” is a high-profile return to directing after six years, and for Pitt it continues a run of carefully chosen projects with acclaimed directors.

A Crowded Calendar for Pitt

Pitt’s schedule is already full. Deadline reports that David Fincher’s “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,” in which Pitt returns to his “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” character, opens exclusively in IMAX on November 25 and begins streaming on Netflix on December 23. He is also set for “The Riders,” an A24 film directed by Edward Berger, next year.

The announcement capped a busy week in entertainment, with Dustin Hoffman making headlines for his new memoir “Look at Me,” the Avengers: Endgame Encore re-release arriving on Disney+, and Morgan Wallen announcing a 14-date stadium tour for 2027.

Latest Developments

No other casting has been announced for “Connector” yet, and Apple has not said whether the film will follow “F1” with a theatrical release or go straight to Apple TV. Those details are expected to emerge once production dates are confirmed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “Connector” about?

“Connector” is a 1970s New York drama about a working-class legend, a sky-walking ironworker who takes on forces larger than himself. Brad Pitt will star as the ironworker.

Who is directing “Connector”?

Darius Marder, the director of the Oscar-winning “Sound of Metal,” will direct from a screenplay he co-wrote with his sister, Nina Marder, based on a story by Derek Cianfrance.

When will “Connector” be released?

There is no release date yet. The film is in development, and reports suggest Pitt could shoot it in 2027, but Apple has not confirmed any production dates.

What is Brad Pitt’s next movie?

Pitt’s next release is “The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,” which opens exclusively in IMAX on November 25 and streams on Netflix from December 23. He is also set to star in “The Riders” for A24 next year.

Final Paragraph

“Connector” brings together one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, an Oscar-nominated director, and a studio fresh off its biggest hit. Watch for casting announcements and a production start date, which will show how quickly Apple plans to move this one from announcement to the screen.