Pitt plays Billy Beane, the manager who  does something unprecedented when he employs computer analysis to try and choose a winning team.

Based on a true story, Moneyball documents the success of the team as a result of controversial tactics and decisions made by a man who is a former player himself. With a limited budget, he has to think outside the box, and that is where computer nerd Peter Brand, played by Jonah Hill, comes in.

This film is much more than just a story about baseball. It charts the conflicts between the ‘old’ and the ‘new’. Philip Seymour Hoffman plays the traditional baseball advocator Art Howe and it is directed by Bennett Miller.

Of course this film will appeal to baseball fans, but it is also reported to have been particularly well-scripted and directed. The real test will be if people who aren’t big baseball fans are still singing this film’s praises after it’s release.

Moneyball comes out in the UK on November 25th and you can find more Brad Pitt-related stories here.

The Venice Film Festival will be awash with stars, the opening night including George Clooney and his co-stars of The Ides of March, Ryan Gosling and Philip Seymour Hoffman.

And this is just the start, with a total of 22 films entered into the competition, and a whole bundle of other famous faces set to join in the festivities later in the week. Not wanting to name drop, but just some of the stars that will be milling around include Kate Winslet, Keira Knightley, Matthew McConaughey, Jude Law, Gwyneth Paltrow, Matt Damon and Madonna. This looks like it will be 11 days of film paradise, so stay tuned for more news coming up.

It has been reported that Carell will be playing Meryl Streep‘s therapist in Great Hope Springs.

Streep will be working with director David Frankel who she previously worked with on The Devil Wears Prada, when she played the scary fashion magazine editor Miranda Priestly.

This time she will play a middle aged woman whose marriage of 30 years is in tatters. The pair agree to attend marriage counselling.

Carrell is in talks for role of Dr Field, who works with the couple at getting their relationship back on track.

At the moment, it’s unclear who will be playing Streep’s husband in the film, however Philip Seymour Hoffman and James Gandolfini are both lined up to be in the film, so could it be one of them?

Carell is known for his part in the US version of The Office and a whole range of comedies, such as Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin. He has played more serious roles in the past, such as Little Miss Sunshine when he played a gay scholar of French author Marcel Proust, but he is mostly known for his humour. You’ll next see him in Crazy, Stupid, Love, which also stars Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, Kevin Bacon and Julianne Moore. Carell is also working as a producer on the film.

Streep has recently taken on the role of Maggie Thatcher for a biopic, called The Iron Lady, about the former UK Prime Minister.

It’s a great cast isn’t it? But does the plot sound interesting enough?

Brad was spotted minus the beard in Los Angeles on the set of his latest movie Moneyball.

It’s hard to believe but the heart throb has been growing it for a whole year!

The 46-year-old shaved off the controversial facial hair to play Oakland Athletics baseball manager Billy Beane.

The movie tells the story of Billy putting together a football team based on a computer analysis system, and is based on a book by Michael Lewis. Sounds a bit dull if you ask us.

Anyway, it also stars Jonah Hill, Philip Seymour Hoffman and Robin Wright and is being directed by Oscar- nominated Bennett Miller, which admittedly sounds rather promising.

Meanwhile as Brad looses his beard, joker Russell Brand has gained one, well a fake one at least.

Currently in New York, where he’s filming the remake of the classic 1981 film Arthur that starred Dudley Moore,  Brand stepped out in the disguise while filming a scene.

The new film also stars Jennifer Garner, Greta Gerwig, and Nick Nolte. Dame Helen Mirren plays Arthur’s nanny, replacing the butler role that John Gielgud won an Oscar for in the original.

What do you think, is Brand better bearded or is Brad?

Read more Brad Pitt related stories on The Film Review.