The Brad Pitt-starring racing drama is set to feature the actor actually driving a specially-built Mercedes race car.
We’ve known for a good year now that Apple is producing one of the biggest projects in Hollywood: an untitled racing driver movie with some serious star power behind it. Brad Pitt is set to star, with Top Gun: Maverick‘s Joseph Kosinski in place to direct. What’s more, producing legend Jerry Bruckheimer is also on board, as well as racing icon Lewis Hamilton.
Apple came out on top despite lots of interest from other financiers, and the film looks to be a key component of the studio’s move into theatrical distribution.
Pitt is set to play ‘a retired racing legend who mentors a younger driver and takes his final stab at glory on the track as the younger driver’s teammate.’ The younger driver in question will be played by British actor Damson Idris, best known for FX US television show Snowfall, as well as the acclaimed British indie picture, Farming.
Given the stunning action sequences on display in Top Gun: Maverick, we’re looking forward to seeing how Kosinski brings the same slick style and talent for practical effects work to what is now being called Formula One. F1 broadcaster Will Buxton recently led a behind closed doors panel where Kosinski and Jerry Bruckheimer talked about the project. Buxton later shared some details and this is what we’ve learned.
Brad Pitt will actually be driving a specially-built Mercedes F1 car at several of the upcoming F1 grand prix races. The film will feature Pitt and company as part of an 11th race team that doesn’t currently exist in the sport, but although the team will be fictional, the tracks and the races will be true to the sport. Likewise for racing icon Lewis Hamilton who is likely to appear in the film as himself, as well as being a hands-on producer.
The crew have built the smallest-ever moveable 6L camera to record the race sequences onboard the actors’ cars, whilst Buxton also says that Tom Cruise has offered ‘to do some extra driving if they need him.’ We really hope that’s not a joke.
As for Kosinski, he’s stated that John Frankenheimer’s Grand Prix is his main influence. That 1966 film is remembered still for its thrilling race sequence shot at high speeds.
Everything seems to be moving into place with filming set to begin imminently ahead of a scheduled release date next year. Imagine watching this in 4DX? You might need a crash helmet in the auditorium. We’ll bring you more on this project as we hear it.
Image: BigStock
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