BY ORKIDE IZCI

ANCHOR MEGAN MURPHY

A-lister Brad Pitt starred in three movies this year and already has two scheduled for next, so his latest announcement is taking the entertainment industry by surprise. Pitt says in a 60 Minutes interview that he plans to quit acting -- in just three years.

TARA BROWN: How much longer would you like to do your business for?
BRAD PITT: Three years.
BROWN: Three years?
PITT: Yeah.
BROWN: And then what happens after three years?
PITT: Hell if I know. Hell if I know.

The declaration caused quite a stir, so Pitt quickly clarified. The Telegraph has the actor’s new statement.

"I wasn't actually putting an exact deadline on my expiration date [in Australia's 60 Minutes interview], but I see it coming. I just have other interests and I do quite enjoy the production side."

MTV is suspicious of Pitt’s statement, saying that actors and directors rarely come through on their retirement promises.

“Pitt is only the most recent of many actors and directors who have come out to declare their plans for retirement, few of which—if any—have actually followed through.”

Celebitchy agrees, and speculates that this retirement foreshadowing might all be a big publicity stunt on Pitt’s part.

“Part of me thinks that both Brad and Angelina just do the whole “I’m quitting ... ” thing in interviews for extra headlines and as an idle threat so that we will enjoy our time with them even more.”

But CNN’s Marquee Blog points out that this isn’t the first time Pitt has said he’s ready to leave Hollywood behind.

“Brad must be serious because this isn’t the first time we’ve heard his and Angelina’s plan to ease out of the spotlight. Jolie laid their exit plan out in August, saying she prefers mothering to acting.”