Brad's ex-bodyguard says the 'World War Z' actor and the 'Tully' actress are at least 'friends with benefits,' but they try to keep it secret for fear it would cause tension with his ex Angie.

• Jan 28, 2019

AceShowbiz - Brad Pitt and Charlize Theron are possibly indeed an item, despite recent report debunking their romance rumors. Kris Herzog, a former bodyguard of the "War Machine" actor, confirms that "at the minimum, they're friends with benefits."

"I spoke to Charlize about four months ago and she told me Sean Penn had introduced them," Kris tells The Sun (via Radar Online). "I know as a fact they've been together for the last four months." He additionally claims, "I've seen them once myself together. They're definitely dating but they're keeping it secret until they work out whether it's going to be long-term."

Kris further claims that the 55-year-old actors tries to hide his relationship with the 43-year-old actress from the public for fear that it would cause tension with his ex Angelina Jolie. As widely reported before, Brad and Angie had a bitter custody battle for more than two years until they reached a custody agreement in November last year.

"Everything Brad does is vetted through how it's going to affect his relationship with Angelina," Kris explains. "Because if he pisses her off, it's going to f**k up their child custody situation." The source adds Brad and Charlize are "trying their best to keep their relationship a secret to avoid drama with Angie."

Radar recently reported that Angie and Charlize have already been feuding for years over film roles. It reportedly started out as the "Wanted (2008)" actress was "stalling on committing to a 'Bride of Frankenstein' remake" just to frustrate the "Snow White and the Huntsman" actress. Charlize, who was eyeing the same role, reportedly could not accept other roles as she awaited Angie's decision whether or not she would take the role.

They allegedly have since battled out for other roles, including for a part in "The Tourist" which Angie eventually starred in, and "Murder on the Orient Express" which Angie initially turned down but then wanted. In the end, neither Charlize nor Angie landed the role in "Murder on the Orient Express", with Michelle Pfeiffer eventually starring in it.

Brad and Charlize dating reports first emerged earlier this month, as it was said that the spark between them flew over the Christmas season. However, a source later told PEOPLE that the pair, who met six months ago when they shot a commercial for watch brand Breitling, "have not been out together recently, and were never dating." The source added, "Reports of them being involved romantically are false."