The one celebrity that can make anyone's jaw drop (and yes, this means absolutely anyone) is Brad Pitt. His quiet generosity, chiseled good looks, and obvious devotion to his wife make Pitt the quintessential male celebrity. He appeals to both male and female audiences by undertaking roles that solidify his credibility as an actor. It's clear that he's more than just a pretty boy. We spoke with Pitt about the long and arduous process of filming the epic film Troy, and life with Jennifer during a time of speculation of troubled times in his marriage.

We've seen Pitt in many shirtless situations throughout his film career. Who can forget his infamous scene in Thelma and Louise or his washboard stomach and perfectly chiseled body in Fight Club' However, it is hard to ignore the impeccably sculpted body he displays in Troy. When asked about the process of achieving the physical results that the role of Achilles required, Pitt humbly joked, 'It was a lot of hard work and an impending mid-life crisis that motivated me.' Pitt spent a couple hours in the gym every day and cranked audio slave. In regards to the pain and reward aspect of working out so diligently, Pitt simply stated, 'it sucked for a couple months and then I started to enjoy it.'

The fight scenes were an imperative part of Troy. To achieve a visually pleasing picture, Simon Crane was on set to choreograph the fighting. He is best known for his work on Braveheart and Saving Private Ryan. Pitt was very impressed with the intense thought that Crane used to carefully craft his fight scenes. Pitt was so pleased with the end result. He thought that the scenes almost seemed ballet-like as opposed to many of the bigger, faster and harder fight scenes we are used to in the movies.

Lucky for the female audience, Pitt was quite close to being nude throughout the film. However, when Pitt was asked, if he was uncomfortable with the nude scenes, especially with being married, Pitt answered with a matter of fact tone in his voice, 'My wife was all for it, so there we go.' He also explained that the lack of clothing was realistic to that time period so therefore they were giving an accurate portrayal as opposed to just showing gratuitous nude scenes. It's hard to believe that a man who is so celebrated for his good looks could be so down to earth. He's been named one of People Magazine's most beautiful people countless times and is even a favorite of teen queens such as the Olsen twins and Britney Spears. But Pitt is quiet, thoughtful and extremely grounded considering all the publicity he has gotten. When asked if he thought that women would enjoy looking at him in this film, he replied yet again with an almost embarrassed tone in his gentle voice, 'that's not for me to say.'

Pitt was fascinated with the dimensions of the Gods. He doesn't necessarily feel that he has a favorite God or myth, but he drawn to the fact that Gods possess many human attributes: 'They can be spiteful, vengeful, benevolent and they go through human emotions and quarrel amongst themselves.'

Pitt was eager to play Achilles, one of the greatest warrior's of all time: 'It's exciting..sometimes it's minor'in the wardrobe and dialect. This had so much going on'fighting styles, emotional turmoil, dialect. These things became more enticing.'

We found out that Brad Pitt also gets starstruck. In response to working with co-stars Julie Christie and Peter O'Toole , Pitt said: 'I had been waiting for a scene (with O'Toole) like that forever,' and, 'I love Julie Christie, she's one of my all time favorites.'

Achilles is one of those morally complex characters. To prepare for a role with so many dimensions, Pitt was asked how difficult it was to play a character you can love and fear at the same time. Pitt had a thought provoking response to this: 'He (Achilles) is always developing'you find out that he has this benevolent past, but then he would display these violent characteristics. His character was formed by his experiences and responses to experiences, not by any adopted dogma. It was through success and failure and failure to extremes.' Pitt felt the plight of Achilles was through self-discovery. Pitt cited a line from Troy that he felt epitomized the character of Achilles: 'I want what all men want, I want more.' Furthermore, Pitt felt Achilles had an inner dilemma throughout the whole film: 'There are parallels with fame and the game of fame. When Achilles' mom presents him with choices in the beginning: He could stay home or go to this war and do great things, but he will die. This becomes a conscience of crisis the whole film, where he is constantly wrestling with his choice. That presented a great dilemma.'

Pitt feels that are several lines in the movie pertaining to war that resonate with people today: 'Peter O'Toole's character says, 'If I do this for you, are you still my enemy in the morning'' 'You're still my enemy tonight but even enemies can show respect.' I think the thing is full of anecdotes for our time.' Pitt also felt an obligation to read The Iliad and the Odyssey as it is one of the greatest stories of all time. He was also impressed by the adaptation. He felt the script did a fantastic job of capturing the essence of the story.

Pitt is a serious actor and has chosen many roles which demonstrate his wide range in performances. Did Pitt feel that the role of Achilles could be the defining role of his life' 'No ' you never know that going in, it's just confusing to start thinking that way. You attack it like you attack any other role.' Pitt also discusses the enormity of working on a production as big as Troy. 'The set was enormous'there were two sets constantly filming the whole thing: The dramatic section and the fighting section. There were miles and miles of sand dunes, a set of 1000 people on one side and on the other side another set of 1000 people. The director never lost his cool, and we were in very arduous conditions, 100 degree weather, 14 hours a day, people getting heatstroke'

Of course there can't be an interview with Brad Pitt without discussing his personal life. Anyone who passes by a magazine stand always allows their eyes to fall upon the numerous magazine covers that show Brad gazing adoringly at Jennifer Aniston, who you can't help but like, no matter how jealous you may be of her. They seem like the perfect couple, so of course the tabloids jump on any signs of troubled waters. While Pitt was working on set with Angeline Jolie for the movie, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, there were whispers that there was something going on between Jolie and Pitt, causing a huge whirlwind of rumors about the demise of Pitt's marriage. Brad addresses several situations pertaining to Jennifer: 'With Friends, everything has to come to an end, I'm gonna miss those Thursday nights, but of course there's syndication so that'll be ok. Jen's had a great schedule, more stable than a film career. They have very civil hours.'

And how does Brad feel about the constant pressure of being under a microscope' 'Fighting the tabloids'I kind of gave up on fighting the rumors. I don't pay attention. It gets in the way of living your life. People are either building you up or making you seem a lot worse and there is seldom truth to anything that is said.'

And all those baby rumors' Does Brad want to start a family' 'It's a natural thing (to want a family). As a tabloid, that's a safe bet.'

Amongst many of the Brad Pitt rumors are the ones of his immense generosity. Pitt and Aniston are constantly donating to charities and looking out for the people in their everyday lives. Reporters or sources on set were always saying that Brad was bestowing lavish gifts upon the cast and crew of the Troy set. Pitt casually downplays his kindness, saying, 'Everyone on set was always swapping gifts.'

So there you have it! Despite all the fuss over Brad Pitt and his physical appearance, he manages to maintain a grounded, examined life. In Pitt's life, the world doesn't revolve around him' In fact, he'd rather it didn't. His acting abilities and his sweet natured demeanor make him one of the few likable stars of our time.