Brad Pitt is reportedly not happy with the latest twist in the long-running custody battle with ex-wife Angelina Jolie.
The 45-year-old Maleficent star has reportedly requested that the judge overseeing their court battle is taken off as he is 'too close' to Brad to be able to make an unbiased decision.
This has apparently infuriated the 56-year-old Once Upon a Time in Hollywood star, who is now prepared to "dig in" as their court battle looks to take a turn towards a more bitter path.
A source has told Us Weekly : "Brad says Angelina has gone way too far this time.
"He’s left with no other option but to dig in and fight back, hard.”
Angelina has claimed in court documents that she filed on August 10 that Judge John W. Ouderkirk had “failed to disclose” that he has a working relationship with one of Brad’s attorneys.
This was challenged by Brad's legal team, who hit back at the claim saying that the judge "has had a well-documented history” with Brad and Angelina and that he even presided over their wedding in August 2014.
The court battle had been looking like it was heading in a direction in which an amicable outcome could have been sought but this latest diversion could have scuppered that as both parties get ready for a heated finale to the case.
In their response to Angelina's filing, Brad's lawyers took aim at the actress, saying that she has "hurt" the children with her latest decision.
Angelina is extremely close to their six children - Maddox, 19, Pax, 16, Zahara, 15, Shiloh, 14, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 12 - with them all spending lockdown with her in Los Angeles.
Brad's lawyers wrote: "The individuals hurt most by Jolie’s transparently tactical gambit are the parties’ own children, who continue to be deprived of a final resolution to these custody issues."
Angelina's legal team hit back at this claim, telling Us Weekly: "Any delay in these proceedings is due to [Pitt’s team’s] zealous attempt to create an unrecognised special exception for their client’s benefit."
Brad and Angelina split in September 2016 and became legally single in April 2019.
Their custody trial is due to start in October, in which is shaping up to be an explosive affair.
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