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F1 is getting the true Hollywood treatment
One of the many signs that Formula 1 is experiencing something of a moment?
The sport is getting the true Hollywood treatment.
Brad Pitt is starring in an upcoming feature set in the F1 world, with the actor playing a veteran driver for APXGP, a fictional team on the grid. Starring alongside Pitt is Damson Idris, who plays Pitt’s rookie teammate at APXGP.
On Tuesday F1 and Apple Original Films announced that the movie, directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, will be released in theaters around the world, as well as in IMAX, next June. The film will be released internationally on June 25, 2025, and in North America on June 27, 2025.
The film will be distributed in theaters by Warner Bros. Pictures.
What makes this film unique is that it is being filmed in collaboration with F1, shot in real-time during races around the world and involving the entire F1 community. According to the press release announcing the release date, the film includes “ … all 10 teams, the drivers, the FIA and race promoters.”
For example, at last season’s British Grand Prix film crews — along with Pitt and Idris — were at Silverstone shooting scenes and even participating in events such as Drivers’ Meetings. Lewis Hamilton, an executive producer on the movie, addressed the filming process during the FIA Press Conference ahead of last year’s British Grand Prix.
“Yeah, I’ve been really incredibly grateful to [F1]. I don’t know if this would have been possible 10 plus years ago, when the old management was in place. They wouldn’t have perhaps seen this as an important step in terms of the sport’s growth. But we’ve already seen the great work and impact of the Netflix show and I think this will take it to new heights beyond that,” described Hamilton last year. “So yeah, I think there’s so many people around the world, as you’ve seen already, that are so excited about this sport, wanting to learn more. And the fact that we will have all the original characters that are actually on the grid, and then Brad, is pretty cool.
“I’m pretty certain, I mean, our cameras are a lot better than what you’re seeing when you’re watching TV. I’ve seen all the footage of the camera positions. I’ve spent time with Joe, trying to make sure we’ve got the best camera positions and the frame rate is different, it’s going to look fast,” continued Hamilton. “I think it’s going to look faster than it does on TV. Because I think it’s something to do with the frame rate that we have to have. But Joe is an incredible director, and I think you’re going to see him really… You’ve already seen what he’s done with fighter jets, what is what he did with Maverick. So just think about what he’s done with that in terms of the dogfights you saw from those jets, which was pretty epic.
“And bringing that technology and that viewpoint into our world, I think it’s going to be amazing.”
And now we know when we can see this for ourselves.
