Battle of Chustenahlah

Joseph Kosinski is directing an upcoming untitled American sports action drama film written by Ehren Kruger and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The film stars Brad Pitt (who also produces) in the lead with an ensemble cast including Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Tobias Menzies, Lewis Hamilton, Javier Bardem and Sarah Niles.

Premise

Sonny Hayes, a Formula One driver who raced in the 1990s, has a horrible crash, forcing him to retire from Formula One and start racing in other disciplines. A Formula One team owner and friend contacts Hayes and asks him to come out of retirement to mentor rookie prodigy Joshua Pearce on the Apex Grand Prix team (APXGP).[1]

Cast

Production

On December 3, 2021, The Hollywood Reporter revealed that Jerry Bruckheimer would be producing a film starring Brad Pitt, with Joseph Kosinski directing and Ehren Kruger writing. Sources said that Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was also involved in the film. By December 3, bidding was already under way with Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Sony Pictures, Universal Pictures and Walt Disney Pictures interested, as well as streamers Netflix, Apple, and Amazon Studios (now called Amazon MGM Studios).[2]

In June 2022, the distribution rights to the film were acquired by Apple in a package deal worth between $130–140 million before above-the-line compensation.[3] Pitt was paid $30 million for his involvement.[4] In November, Claudio Miranda announced he would be the film's cinematographer.[5]

In April 2023 Deadline Hollywood reported that Damson Idris had been chosen as co-star following a lengthy casting process, including a shortlist of actors driving the car in January 2023.[6] Kerry Condon and Tobias Menzies would join the cast in the following months.[7][8]

In July 2023, the film began production at the Silverstone Circuit in the United Kingdom, including filming during the 2023 British Grand Prix weekend on July 8–9.[9]

Pitt drove a modified Formula Two car with an added Formula One aero-package during the race weekend, but not in an official F1 session.[10][11] In an interview with Martin Brundle at the 2023 British Grand Prix, Pitt confirmed that Javier Bardem would be playing the team owner.[12]

ESPN reported that the film was titled Apex, but it later retracted this statement.[13]

In February 2024, Sarah Niles joined the cast.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ Ramachandran, Naman (July 10, 2023). "Brad Pitt Reveals Plot Details of Formula One Movie While Filming at British Grand Prix: 'You've Never Seen G-Forces Like This'". Variety. Retrieved July 11, 2023.
  2. ^ Kit, Borys (December 3, 2021). "Brad Pitt, Joseph Kosinski, Lewis Hamilton Racing Project Revs Studios, Streamers Into Bidding War (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved January 4, 2022.
  3. ^ Kroll, Justin; Grobar, Matt (June 7, 2022). "Apple Confirms Deal For Brad Pitt Formula One Film From Top Gun: Maverick Director Joseph Kosinski". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 7, 2022.
  4. ^ Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Rubin, Rebecca (July 20, 2022). "Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for Joker 2, Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More". Variety. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved July 21, 2022.
  5. ^ Eagan, Daniel (November 24, 2022). "Top Gun: Maverick Duo Joseph Kosinski and Claudio Miranda Discuss Challenging Sailing Scene at Camerimage; Tease Formula One Project". Below the Line. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Kroll, Justin (April 7, 2023). "Snowfall Star Damson Idris Lands Coveted Role Opposite Brad Pitt In Apple's F1 Racing Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 7, 2023.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (May 5, 2023). "Kerry Condon Joins Brad Pitt In Apple's F1 Racing Film". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  8. ^ Vlessing, Etan (June 2, 2023). "Tobias Menzies Joins Brad Pitt in Formula One Apple Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  9. ^ Issimdar, Mariam; PA Media (July 6, 2023). "Brad Pitt to 'race' during F1 British GP weekend at Silverstone". BBC. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  10. ^ Murray, Tom (July 6, 2023). "Why is Brad Pitt filming at Silverstone during the British Grand Prix?". The Independent. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  11. ^ Shafer, Ellise (May 4, 2023). "Brad Pitt to Drive at British Grand Prix as Part of Production on Formula One Movie". Variety. Retrieved July 6, 2023.
  12. ^ Harrington, Alex (July 9, 2023). "F1 News: Brad Pitt Joins Lewis Hamilton In British GP Celebrations". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 10, 2023.
  13. ^ Batey, Eve (July 9, 2023). "Brad Pitt Hits The British Grand Prix Racetrack". Vanity Fair. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  14. ^ Kroll, Justin (February 27, 2024). "Ted Lasso's Sarah Niles Joins Brad Pitt In Apple's F1 Movie". Deadline Hollywood.

External links