A few years before the recent "F1" movie, Brad Pitt nearly co-starred with Tom Cruise in a major racing film. Pitt was involved in early discussions for "Ford v Ferrari," a movie released six years ago that focused on the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans race. Although Matt Damon and Christian Bale were the main stars, the project was quite different from what was initially envisioned. Pitt shared with The National that around a decade ago, he and Tom Cruise worked with director Joe Kosinski on "Ford v Ferrari." Both wanted to be behind the wheel, with Pitt aiming to portray Carroll Shelby. However, when Cruise realized Shelby had limited driving scenes, the idea didn’t come together.
Cruise made his mark during the racing film era with "Thunder," while Pitt’s "F1" movie is currently receiving critical acclaim. Within just ten days of release, it grossed $293 million, becoming Apple’s most successful film. Lewis Hamilton played a significant role behind the scenes, and Pitt even drove a Mercedes car during the 2023 F1 UK Grand Prix to shoot scenes for the film.
Regarding a potential sequel, Variety reports that Apple is already exploring this possibility. Pitt, interested in starring alongside Cruise, is cautious due to Cruise’s past film setbacks. "I don’t know how that would work," Pitt admitted, "but we’ll give it a try. I want to." He’s open to continuing the "F1" story, though the future of his character, Sonny Hayes, remains uncertain. Pitt expressed eagerness to return to racing on screen, mentioning that Formula 1 remains a central theme and hinted at new challenges involving teammates like Damson Idris’s character, Joshua Pierce. He speculated that Hayes might explore other racing records beyond Formula 1, such as the Bonneville Salt Flats.
Hamilton, asked about a sequel, advised patience, noting, "We’ve literally finished it, so I think the last thing we want now is a sequel." He emphasized the importance of taking time to enjoy the film’s success before rushing into a follow-up, cautioning that many sequels suffer when made too quickly.
Fan Take: This news is thrilling for racing fans as it signals Hollywood’s ongoing interest in the high-octane world of motorsport, promising more thrilling stories that spotlight the sport’s drama and skill. A sequel featuring Brad Pitt could deepen fans’ connection to racing culture and bring even greater visibility to Formula 1 globally.
