Brad Pitt is getting in the cockpit of a real Formula One race car for his upcoming film on the international racing league, according to director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer.
During a panel about the untitled film at the F1 Accelerate Summit in Miami, Kosinski and Bruckheimer shared production details of the Apple Studios movie, which stars Pitt and counts seven-time Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton among its producers. According to panel moderator Will Buxton, Kosinksi and Bruckheimer are creating an 11th team filming on track and on event from Silverstone to the end of the year. Silverstone is the track where the British Grand Prix takes place. This year, the event will be held on July 9.
What an honour to host the final panel of the day at #F1Accelerate with movie royalty Jerry Bruckheimer and Joseph Kosinski. Their F1 movie sounds incredible. They’re creating an 11th team and filming on track and on event from Silverstone to the end of the year. pic.twitter.com/fPAn2rJVoS
Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) May 4, 2023 Buxton said that the films team has created the smallest moveable 6k camera ever designed to take the viewer into the cockpit, where the films stars will actually be driving the race cars. Thats right. Brad Pitt driving an F1 car from Silverstone onwards, Buxton added. ESPN F1 also confirmed the news in a tweet.
Its unclear if Pitt will actually be racing against other drivers during the event, or if production will happen before or after the race. During an investor QA in April (via Sports Illustrated), F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali said the film will be quite invasive in terms of production. Its something that we need to control, in a way, but it will be another way of showing that Formula 1 never stops. Apple Studios did not immediately respond to Varietys request for comment.
Buxton also shared that the race car being used in the film was designed by Mercedes, and Hamilton is advising on storyline and script to ensure its the most accurate racing film ever made.
According to the films official logline, Pitt plays a driver who comes out of retirement to compete alongside a rookie driver against the titans of the sport. Damson Idris is co-starring, and Top Gun: Maverick co-writer Ehren Kruger is penning the screenplay. Producers include Hamilton, Kosinski, Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films and Pitts Plan B Entertainment. Copper CEO Penni Thow serves as executive producer.