When BRAD PITT recently decided to bring feuding rivals JENNIFER ANISTON and ANGELINA JOLIE together for a secret peace meeting – ahead of their first public appearance together at next month’s Oscars – he had no idea his plans would blow up in his face.

“Brad knew he better do something quick, or else the war between Jen and Ange was almost certainly going to spill on to the red carpet,” revealed a source. “Brad knew the two women would never be friends, but he was at least hoping they could be civil.”

Unfortunately, Brad’s hopes of a truce have backfired, as the meeting not only tore open old wounds, but gouged new ones – and tension between the warring pair has reached boiling point.

“Brad is dreading Oscar night, fearful that his current and former loves are going to have the mother of all smack downs,” an insider revealed.

Ahlan! uncovers what fuelled their showdown...

Jen's angry bacause...

Ange did seduce Brad
Despite Brad recently maintaining that “there was no dastardly affair,” between him and Ange, a former Brangelina staffer plans to expose Ange as a husband-stealing man-eater in a shocking new tell-all book.

According to Brangelina’s disgruntled ex-bodyguard, Mickey Brett – who was fired by Brad last year – Ange won Brad over on the Mr & Mrs Smith set by indulging his fantasies. “Mickey walked in on Angelina being intimate with Brad in her trailer,” says a source. “She indulged any fantasy he had... including dressing up.”

Ange is rubbing salt in the wounds
In the wake of Jen’s rumoured split from John Mayer, Ange has been pulling out all the stops to show the world – and Jen – how loved-up she and Brad are. So much so, that their PDAs at the recent Critics’ Choice Awards shocked onlookers. “[They were] kissing and looking lovingly at each other throughout the night,” said a party-goer. “At one point, Brad had his hand all the way up Angelina’s dress!”

Given that Jen was reportedly dumped by John after the Golden Globe Awards – where Brad and Ange put on another lovey-dovey display – insiders are questioning whether Jen’s jealousy of Ange was a factor in her split.

Jen’s got career-envy
With their public showdown at the Oscars looming, Jen’s furious the face-off will not be on even ground. After her recent nomination for Best Actress for her role in Changeling, the spotlight will be on Angelina – whether she wins the gong or not. Added to the fact that Brad’s new flick The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button has been nominated for 11 Oscars, it’s a bitter pill for Jen to swallow, as her film career fails to garner her any major awards.

Ange has launched a body battle
Fiercely competitive Ange has reportedly vowed to outdo Jen on the red carpet on Oscar night, especially given Jen’s recent semi-nude cover shoot for GQ magazine.

“Ange has been trying to outdo Jen in the hot body stakes, even attempting to lose weight off her already thin frame,” spilled a source.

Sending out a very threatening message to Jen that the fashion war is on, Ange then rocked up to the Berlin premiere of The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button, sporting a dramatic new glam look.

Ange's angry because...

Brad called Jen “a sweetheart”
Attempting to quash the feud between the pair, Brad misguidedly spoke out in defence of his ex, recently insisting, “Jen is a real sweetheart,” and praising how she has handled the split. His comments then reportedly enraged Ange – who accused Brad of siding with her enemy.

Jen’s popular
While Ange may be collecting accolades in Hollywood – including her recent Oscar nomination – she’s not collecting friends. While Jen has an array of close showbiz pals like Courteney Cox and Sheryl Crow, Ange isn’t close to anyone outside her family – and she’s aware that many industry insiders are firmly with Team Aniston.

“During commercial breaks, while other stars schmoozed and mingled with friends, Angelina mostly stuck to her table, talking to Brad,” said a spy at the recent Golden Globe Awards bash.

Jen’s poised to pounce
Many of the revelations in Mickey Brett’s new book will shake the foundations of her relationship with Brad, and Ange is terrified Brad will seek solace in the arms of his ex. “[Mickey] knows everything about Angelina,” revealed a source. “It’s going to be one of the most explosive books ever written!”

Among his claims are that Ange has cheated on Brad with a famous pop star, and that she laughs at his stupidity behind his back.

“She can’t stand how little he knows about many subjects,” said a source. “Once, when Brad dyed his blond locks black to match Angelina’s and got a tattoo to impress her, she and Mickey thought it was the funniest thing.”

Jen’s adding to her stress
As sources close to Brangelina insist that the twins Knox and Vivienne are quite fragile babies, tensions are already fraught in the Jolie-Pitt household. And the reignited feud with Jen has stressed Ange out further.

“They haven’t been the healthiest babies. Angie is being neurotic with Knox and Viv. She won’t let anyone near them without sanitising their hands and taking off their shoes. She’s really freaking out,” said a source.