NORTH COUNTRY - PITT'S CO-STAR REVEALS RUSES ARRANGED TO DUPE PAPARAZZI

NORTH COUNTRY star JEREMY RENNER was staggered by the levels of security he witnessed on the set of his new western, THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES BY THE COWARD ROBERT FORD, as producers attempted to protect co-star BRAD PITT. Renner admits doubles were employed throughout the shoot in an attempt to confuse the paparazzi who dogged the set in Canada. He reveals, "People were sneaking on set trying to take our pictures. There were strategies to release our own photos so their photos become less valuable. "There were a lot of things they (producers) tried to do, like hiring doubles for Brad, who would ride around on the motorcycle he would ride, so he could avoid the paparazzi. "Brad tried to go out in public once in a while but it was nuts." But Renner admits he came away with a new found respect for Pitt, who he shares a love of architecture with. He adds, "I think if we sat down one on one and really spent time together that we'd have probably a ton in common. Yeah, what a grand guy. He's just a really, really cool kid."