There’s been green lights and red lights so far in the filming of the untitled Brad Pitt F1 film that has had fans of the motorsport salivating, but there may be a checkered flag in sight.
Following the Hollywood actors strike that had put a complete holt on the production of many films, fans of the upcoming movie found out back in July last year that they’ll have to wait a little while longer to see it.
But it seems the Brad Pitt F1 film is back on track, with the crew filming at Daytona in Florida recently at the ‘Roar Before the 24’ — a precursor to the big race at the speedway (the Rolex 24 at Daytona).
It restarts the fandom for the movie which initially had tongues wagging at the 2023 British Grand Prix at Silverstone, as Oscar-winning actor Brad Pitt was trackside filming parts for the upcoming Apple Original Films production.
Executively produced by actual star Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton, the movie is rumoured to centre around Pitt’s character coming out of retirement to help a new rookie driver to win on the circuit.
Still with plenty to be determined regarding this unnamed Brad Pitt F1 film, here’s everything we have seen and know so far.
The latest on the Brad Pitt F1 movie
Unfortunately for F1 fans, they’ve had to wait for quite some time to hear any developments on the untitled movie, but with the film crew spotted at Daytona International Speedway for the ‘Roar Before the 24’, the anticipation is ramping back up.
Due to this not being an F1 event, rumours are that we can now expect to see real life IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship cars and footage of their race in the film, indicating a potential pivot to IMSA racing in the storyline.
The real motorsports fans will be more across this than your average supporter of the upcoming film, but the No.120 Wright Motorsports Porsche 911 GT3R was being used for filming, with the only difference being that the car for the movie has the names “S.Hayes” – Brad Pitt’s character’s name – “C.Kelso”, and “P.Long” – a former Porsche factory driver.
It seems now that filming has recommenced after a lengthy absence due to the writers and actors strikes in Hollywood, we can expect to see this film released within the next 18 months.
What is the Brad Pitt F1 film about?
Starring Brad Pitt, obviously, and British actor Damson Idris as the co-star, the film is reported to be about a former F1 driver returning to racing to help his old team get off the bottom of the leaderboard.
After suffering a horrible crash in a race years ago, Pitt’s character is asked to come back to the grid after a 30-year absence.
Whilst filming the movie at Silverstone, Pitt spoke to Sky Sports explaining that the film “should be as authentic as we can get it” to create a real sense of the sport for fans, and also to entice a new audience.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is a producer on the film and is expected to make sure the unnamed film fulfils this wanted outcome.
“Lewis, who’s also our producer, is really intent that we respect the sport, that we really show it for what it is,” Pitt said.
“I’ve got to tell you, as a civilian, I had no idea what it takes to be a driver and the aggression and the dexterity – they’re amazing athletes who I have so much respect for.”
Is there any info on a title and release date?
Since the New Year, the film has bee rumoured to be called ‘Apex’ which may be indicated by the fictional team name for the movie, APXGP — however this hasn’t been confirmed.
Due to the delays from 2023, where we were meant to see the film crew at the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix, the movie’s release has been unfortunately pushed back to 2025.
When asked about when we could potential see the movie, Lewis Hamilton said, “Probably early 2025, I would imagine, with the post-work they’d have to do. So yeah, it’s been delayed a lot.”
The film is created by Apple who hold the rights to the movie. It’s not known whether they will release it at the cinemas and then onto it’s Apple TV streaming service, or just straight behind the pay-wall.
What filming have we seen so far for the F1 film?
The F1 world can’t help but talk about the excitement surrounding a Hollywood production on their sport starring one of the biggest actor going around.
Last year at the British Grand Prix in Silverstone, Pitt and the production crew from Apple were trackside filming parts.
Pitt, along with his co-star Damson Idris, were there suited up in a fictional racing suit for the APXGP team. They even had an F2 car converted to look like an F1 car on the track for the filming next to the professional cars.
The film has support from Formula 1, who view it as another draw card to the sport — similar to the impact Netflix series Drive To Survive has had.
Apple will collaborate with Formula 1 on the film, allowing special access to not only racetracks, but also drivers, as reigning world champion Max Verstappen was pictured alongside Pitt at Silverstone.
Why did production for the film take a Pitt-stop?
Although it seemed like serious momentum was being made at the British Grand Prix in regards to the creation of this Brad Pitt F1 film, it came to a grinding holt.
Several high profile Hollywood productions including this film was put on hold due to the ongoing actors and writers strikes in the United States.
This movement had been slowly impacting the productions on movies and TV shows since May 2023, with actors joining the strike as well after initially just being about the writers, including Pitt himself.
NBC News says a source close to Pitt has said he was really enjoying the filming of the F1 movie but that he is “definitely a very loyal member of the union”.
