Brad Pitt reportedly "begged" Angelina Jolie to "press pause" on their divorce proceedings.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt
The 52-year-old actor was reportedly told of his ex-wife's intentions just two days before she filed papers to end their two-year marriage, and he urged her to slow down the process for the sake of their six children, Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and eight-year-old twins Knox and Vivienne.
A source said: "He begged [Angelina] to press pause.
"He was willing to do anything, change any habit, change any lifestyle, to do what had to be done to make this work.
"And by 'make this work,' that means doing what has to be done to make even a split one that is amicable and in the best interests of the children."
And the 'Moneyball' star - who reportedly had counselling "to try to figure out how to make things better" for the children - has been left "wrecked" by the 41-year-old actress-and-director's decision.
The source told People magazine: "She sat down, talked to Brad and offered to file [for divorce] together.
"She said, 'This is what I'd like to do.' She explained everything. Angelina did what she felt she needed to do.
"He was appealing to her to do this quietly - not to save the marriage but to consider the well-being of the children - and it was ignored. He is just wrecked by this."
Angelina cited irreconcilable differences in her divorce papers and has requested joint legal custody but sole physical custody, with Brad to be allowed visitation rights to the children.
However, the 'Big Short' star is reportedly ready to fight for joint legal and physical custody of their brood.
It has been claimed the 'Maleficent' actress filed for divorce because she had concerns about the way Brad parented the children.
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