'I'm putting my kids first' - Brad Pitt releases statement eight days after divorce revelations

Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.

Actress Angelina Jolie (L) waves to fans with actor Brad Pitt (R) during 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' Japan Premiere at Roppongi Hills on January 29, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open in Japan on Feburary 7. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)

Actor Brad Pitt and actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)

Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

thumbnail: Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
thumbnail: Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
thumbnail: Actress Angelina Jolie (L) waves to fans with actor Brad Pitt (R) during 'The Curious Case of Benjamin Button' Japan Premiere at Roppongi Hills on January 29, 2009 in Tokyo, Japan. The film will open in Japan on Feburary 7. (Photo by Kiyoshi Ota/Getty Images)
thumbnail: Actor Brad Pitt and actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images)
thumbnail: Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 11, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
thumbnail: Actors Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie arrive at the 15th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 25, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)
Denise Calnan

Brad Pitt has released a statement, saying he is "putting his kids first".

The actor has released the statement a week after his wife of two years Angelina Jolie filed for divorce, citing irreconcilable differences.

Pitt also confirmed he will not be attending a screening for his new gilm Voyage of Time due to take place on Wednesday, September 28.

The 52-year-old said; "I'm very grateful to be part of such a fascinating and educational project [Voyage of Time], but I'm currently focused on my family situation and don't want to distract attention away from this extraordinary film, which I encourage everyone to see."

Actor Brad Pitt (L) and actress Angelina Jolie arrive at the premiere of Sony Pictures' 'Salt' at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on July 19, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Jolie (41) hit global headlines after she filed for divorce last Monday, September 19.

The couple were together for a total of 12 years.

Jolie is also seeking sole custody of the couple's six children; Maddox, 15, Pax, 12, Zahara, 11, Shiloh, 10, and twins Knox and Vivienne, 8. Jolie is being represented by well-known Hollywood divorce attorney Laura Wasser  and has requested that Pitt only get joint legal custody.