'The Lost City of Z' director James Gray thinks Brad Pitt is the "greatest guy" - despite the Hollywood star missing the movie's world premiere.

Brad Pitt

Brad Pitt

Brad, 52, served as a producer on the new action-adventure biographical film and although he was absent from its opening at the New York Film Festival, James has remained close to the actor throughout his high-profile separation from actress Angelina Jolie.

James shared: "I've exchanged a lot of emails with him. I love him to death. I've been here, obviously, not there. I'll see him soon. He is the greatest guy."

James admitted that the movie would not have been possible without his good friend.

He told PEOPLE: "I owe him a huge debt. He was the one who sent the book [that inspired the film] to me and he's the one who's stuck by me for many, many years. And I've got nothing but love for that guy."

Meanwhile, Brad is reported to have recently seen his children - Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, eight - for the first time since Angelina filed for divorce.

The 'Fury' actor met with some of his children on October 8 in the presence of a therapist, as per terms agreed when a parenting plan was put in place earlier this month.

A source previously said: "People from both sides hope that the two sides will reach a longer-term agreement on their own. The hope is that this period of time will lead them to be able to resolve things without the involvement of the courts."

Angelina filed for divorce on September 19, citing "irreconcilable differences".

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