Brad Pitt sees himself as a "pretty solid" actor.

The Hollywood star has the lead role in crime thriller Killing Them Softly, which hit screens worldwide last month.

After a lengthy and successful career, the 48-year-old believes he's still got what it takes.

"[As an actor I'm] pretty damn solid. I'd say pretty damn solid," Brad told director Guy Ritchie in the latest issue of Interview magazine.

However, Brad also revealed he would rather be behind the scenes than in front of the camera these days.

The star raises six children with his fiance Angelina Jolie and is adamant that his personal life comes first.

"I'd rather be behind the camera," he revealed.

"I want it to be worthy enough of a story to leave the family, you know? They're everything. The family is first... I also don't want to embarrass them."

For Brad to pick a script these days, the content needs to capture his attention.

He chose Killing Them Softy due to its theme, with the mob story set against a backdrop of US politics.

"We're at a particularly ugly time when we're at such a divide in America, but that divide is not there because everyone is trying to figure out what's best for the people. It's there because one side is trying to win out over the other side," he explained.