Latest news with #JerryBruckheimer
Geek Tyrant
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Tyrant
Tom Cruise Starring in F1 Would've Scared The Crew - "Tom ‘Terrifies Me" and "We'd Have Had a Crash" — GeekTyrant
Imagine F1 with Tom Cruise behind the wheel instead of Brad Pitt. That thought alone was enough to make director Joseph Kosinski and action supervisor Graham Kelly collectively wince, then laugh, during a recent GQ interview. And not because Cruise isn't capable. It's because he's so capable that things might've gone sideways. Kosinski, who directed Top Gun: Maverick and is currently helming F1 , was asked what it might've been like if Cruise had taken the lead role instead of Pitt. His answer? 'Tom always pushes it to the limit, but at the same time is super capable and very skilled. They both have the natural talent for driving. But yeah, I could see Tom maybe scaring us a little bit more.' You could call that the understatement of the year. Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer started work on F1 right after Top Gun: Maverick , bringing several crew members with them, including action-vehicle supervisor Graham Kelly, who's no stranger to the chaos Cruise brings with him. Kelly backed up Kosinski's sentiment with a grim chuckle, saying: 'We'd have had a crash. Tom pushes it to the limit. I mean really to the limit. That terrifies me. I mean, I've done loads of 'Mission: Impossibles' with Tom and it's the most stressful experience for someone like me building cars for him, doing stunts with him. 'Whereas Brad listens and he knows his abilities, and I think he'd be the first to say, 'Yeah, I'm not going to do that.'' In other words: Brad brings calm; Tom brings chaos and cinematic magic, sure… but also chaos. What makes this even more interesting is that Kosinski nearly made a racing movie with both actors long before F1 came together. Years ago, the director had a Ford v Ferrari project in development with Cruise and Pitt both attached. They wanted to do their own driving (obviously), but the project never got off the ground due to budget concerns. That film eventually landed in the capable hands of James Mangold, starring Christian Bale and Matt Damon. So now we've got Cruise in Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning , which just opened to a franchise-best $200 million global debut, and Pitt in F1 , which hits theaters June 27. While Cruise has the need for speed locked down, maybe it's for the best that this time, he's watching from the sidelines. Or at least not actively terrifying the stunt team. But, he is working on a Days of Thunder sequel, so he'll be eventually be jumping into some car racing action, and there's no doubt that he's going to push the limits.
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
‘Icks' or ‘the best racing movie of all-time'? What drivers think of the F1 movie
MONACO — Through the past two years, Formula One's paddock has doubled up as a real-life movie set, such has been the immersive filming approach taken for Apple's new movie, 'F1: The Movie.' Drivers have helped stage scenes during pre-race grid ceremonies, welcomed Brad Pitt into their briefings with the FIA, and, in Abu Dhabi last year, even shared a podium with one of Hollywood's biggest stars. Advertisement But on Wednesday evening in Monaco, the 2025 F1 grid got the chance to see the finished movie a month early – by attending a private screening at a cinema in the principality ahead of this weekend's grand prix. 'F1: The Movie' will get its international release on June 25 before hitting screens in North America on June 27. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, has been the driver most involved – working as a producer and helping ensure the movie's accuracy. These efforts even go down to details including correct engine note sounds, plus acting as a welcome sounding board to producer Jerry Bruickheimer and director Joe Kosinski. Seeing the logo of his own film company, Dawn Apollo, show up on screen early on and then spotting his name as a producer as the credits rolled gave Hamilton a special feeling of glee, despite having already watched it around 20 times. But this screening was different. Even for someone as successful as Hamilton. 'All of a sudden, I've got all the drivers there and I was sat in the middle, (and) I was nervous,' Hamilton told reporters on Thursday. 'I was like 'Oh God, everyone is seeing it for the first time.'' Such a select audience would provide the first opportunity to gauge just how successful the film has been in becoming the most immersive and accurate racing film of all-time, as the producers intended. In front of drivers who live such scenes they're arguably its toughest audience. After the screening, Hamilton messaged all his peers to ask for their honest feedback. 'For sure there's parts you'd be like, 'Hey, the timing may be off on a strategy stop,' or whatever it might be,' he said. 'But I think the great thing is the sound is great. The image is incredible. It's something that has never been done before. So, it's something I'm really proud of.' Advertisement 'I thought some of you were there!' Laughter echoed in Haas' hospitality unit during Esteban Ocon's media session in Monaco on Thursday. The initial questions had focused on the screening, and Ocon, unaware that the present journalists had not seen the movie yet, shared a few spoilers (which won't be repeated here). Although none with significant, ground-breaking detail. The general feel from across the Monaco paddock is that the movie is broadly accurate. But a Hollywood-type flare – to be expected – did bring down certain limits. As Williams driver Carlos Sainz shared Thursday, 'There were a couple of icks, but honestly, not as many as I thought. They warned us and they said, 'Guys, we are in love with your sport, but this is Hollywood.'' One of the biggest questions 'F1: The Movie' was always going to face is how accurately it portrays everyday life for those working in the paddock. Netflix docuseries 'Drive to Survive' uses footage filmed at race weekends and from direct driver interviews, but series producer Box to Box and the streaming platform have historically faced criticism for taking creative license to the storylines in what is supposed to be a fly-on-the-wall production. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson described the film as 'very immersive' and added that 'it captures the feeling of being in Formula One.' The movie includes racing battles and crashes with real-life competitors, but utilizes CGI rather than sending Brad Pitt and Damson Idris out on track in Formula Two cars against the F1 drivers. But do viewers need to have an open mind, if the drivers can tell there is an element of Hollywood touch at work? 'You can always find holes and poke holes in things,' Lawson said. 'But I think, it's a movie, at the end of the day. It's the same if you're watching 'Top Gun.' I'm sure if you're a fighter pilot and you're watching a movie like that, you're going to pick things in there that you might see differently. But, at the end of the day, I think the movie is incredible. That's what most people are going to see when they see this.' Ocon mentioned sections where he could detect Hamilton's involvement as a producer, saying how 'some of the parts you can really feel that Lewis has pushed it to keep it super realistic.' While Ocon would've liked more racing and fewer crash sequences, he said, 'It's still by far the best racing movie of all time.' Advertisement 'I think proper racing fans will enjoy it,' the Haas driver said. 'They are going to comment about some of the things that maybe don't make 100 percent sense. But honestly, for such a big movie with such an audience, it's the closest to reality racing movie that I've ever seen, in comparison to all the other ones.' Two members of the 2025 grid are actually yet to watch the film, including the reigning world champion from Red Bull, Max Verstappen. He notified F1 in advance that he would not be attending the screening in order to spend more time at home. His partner, Kelly Piquet, gave birth to a girl, Lily, at the end of April. 'I wanted to spend more private time, because the evening is also private time at the end of the day,' Verstappen said. He was streaming on iRacing during Wednesday evening, but claimed he'd download the film in a few weeks and watch it when it is released. 'I heard good stuff from the movie,' Verstappen said. 'So, I'm sure it's going to be exciting.' The other absentee was Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, who only arrived in Monaco on Thursday. Asked why he didn't make the screening, he said it was 'just stuff,' but he does plan to watch the film. While the drivers may be best-placed to judge the accuracy and merits of the film, there is an understanding between them that they are not the direct target audience. It is intended to reach far wider, meaning the 'icks' that Sainz mentioned may only be picked up by the most hardcore F1 fans. 'Nearly all of the movie, in terms of track action and things like that, it was very original and very representative,' said Fernando Alonso. 'So that was a very good thing.' Lawson felt those who hadn't watched F1 before seeing the film would be the most impressed by the footage, which both he and other drivers agree is incredibly accurate. This has been aided by the fact both Pitt and co-star Idris trained to drive the custom-built APXGP car in real life. Advertisement 'I can imagine somebody who's watching the sport for the first time, watching that movie, they're going to think it's amazing,' Lawson said. Current championship leader Oscar Piastri was impressed by the degree of realism. He cited a moment where the editors managed to add the two APXGP cars to existing racing footage from real races. 'The CGI in a lot of areas was very convincing,' Piastri said. 'I can't give too much away, but there are some things that if you don't follow F1 fully, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference if it was real or not. 'I think for all the people involved in F1, they'll be at least somewhat satisfied with the accuracy of all the little details.' Piastri's McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, didn't want to comment when pressed on some of the scenes involved, respecting the need to not give away spoilers. But he acknowledged it was 'a much bigger stage' for F1. 'It's a movie, it's got movie stars in it, and I think that's something a lot more historical than just a Netflix documentary,' Norris said. 'It's something that in 20 years your kids can still watch and it'll still be kind of cool.' The success of 'Drive to Survive' in bringing F1 to a new, broader fanbase has transformed the sport. To now have F1 portrayed on the biggest screen of all, with some of Hollywood's biggest-name actors, directors and producers involved, has the potential to act as another boost for F1's popularity. This will particularly be the case if it can capture that intended new audience. 'Apparently they did a survey with a lot of people that hadn't ever watched a Formula One race, and after watching the film, they would ask, 'would you watch a Formula One race now?' And 100% of people said yes,' said Sainz. 'So, that just tells you how good I think it is going to be for the sport. 'Maybe I'm completely wrong. But I think it's going to do a lot of good.' (Top image: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 / Getty Images)
New York Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
What F1 drivers think of Brad Pitt's movie: ‘Icks' and ‘the best racing movie of all-time'
MONACO — Through the past two years, Formula One's paddock has doubled as a real-life movie set thanks to the immersive filming approach taken for Apple's upcoming film, 'F1: The Movie.' Drivers have helped stage scenes during pre-race grid ceremonies, welcomed Brad Pitt into their briefings with the FIA, and even shared a podium with one of Hollywood's biggest stars in Abu Dhabi last year. Advertisement But on Wednesday evening in Monaco, the 2025 F1 grid saw the finished movie a month early at a private screening ahead of this weekend's grand prix. 'F1: The Movie' will get its international release on June 25 before hitting screens in North America on June 27. Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, has been the most involved driver, working as a producer and helping to ensure the movie's accuracy. These efforts extend to details such as correct engine note sounds, as well as acting as a valuable sounding board for producer Jerry Bruckheimer and director Joe Kosinski. For Hamilton, seeing the logo of Dawn Apollo, his film company, appear on screen and spotting his name as a producer in the credits gave him a special feeling of joy, even though he had already watched it about 20 times. But this screening was different. 'All of a sudden, I've got all the drivers there and I was sat in the middle, (and) I was nervous,' Hamilton told reporters on Thursday. 'I was like 'Oh God, everyone is seeing it for the first time.'' Such a select audience would provide the first opportunity to gauge just how successful the film has been at becoming the most immersive and accurate racing film of all time, as the producers intended. The drivers who live such scenes are arguably its toughest audience. After the screening, Hamilton messaged all his peers to ask for their honest feedback. 'For sure, there's parts you'd be like, 'Hey, the timing may be off on a strategy stop,' or whatever it might be,' he said. 'But I think the great thing is, the sound is great. The image is incredible. It's something that has never been done before. So, it's something I'm really proud of.' 'I thought some of you were there!' Laughter echoed in Haas' hospitality unit during Esteban Ocon's media session in Monaco on Thursday. Advertisement The initial questions had focused on the screening, and Ocon, unaware that the present journalists had not seen the movie yet, shared a few spoilers (which won't be repeated here). Although none with significant, ground-breaking detail. The general feel from across the Monaco paddock is that the movie is broadly accurate. But a Hollywood-type flair, to be expected, was noted. Williams driver Carlos Sainz shared Thursday, 'There were a couple of icks, but honestly, not as many as I thought. They warned us and they said, 'Guys, we are in love with your sport, but this is Hollywood.'' One of the biggest questions 'F1: The Movie' faces is how accurately it portrays everyday life for those working in the paddock. Netflix docuseries 'Drive to Survive' uses footage filmed at race weekends and from direct driver interviews, but series producer Box to Box and the streaming platform have historically faced criticism for taking creative license with the storylines in what is supposed to be a fly-on-the-wall production. Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson described the film as 'very immersive' and said 'it captures the feeling of being in Formula One.' The movie includes racing battles and crashes with real-life competitors, but utilizes CGI rather than sending Pitt and co-star Damson Idris out on track in Formula Two cars against the F1 drivers. But if the drivers can tell there is an element of Hollywood touch at work, will viewers need an open mind? 'You can always find holes and poke holes in things,' Lawson said. 'But I think it's a movie, at the end of the day. It's the same if you're watching 'Top Gun.' I'm sure if you're a fighter pilot and you're watching a movie like that, you're going to pick things in there that you might see differently. But I think the movie is incredible. That's what most people are going to see when they see this.' Ocon detected Hamilton's involvement as a producer. 'Some of the parts you can really feel that Lewis has pushed it to keep it super realistic,' he said. While Ocon would've liked more racing and fewer crash sequences, he said, 'It's still by far the best racing movie of all time.' 'I think proper racing fans will enjoy it,' Ocon said. 'They are going to comment about some of the things that maybe don't make 100 percent sense. But honestly, for such a big movie with such an audience, it's the closest to reality racing movie that I've ever seen, in comparison to all the other ones.' Advertisement Two members of the 2025 grid have yet to watch the film, including the reigning world champion Max Verstappen. He notified F1 in advance that he would not attend the screening to spend more time at home. His partner, Kelly Piquet, gave birth to a girl, Lily, at the end of April. 'I wanted to spend more private time — because the evening is also private time, at the end of the day,' Verstappen said. He was streaming on iRacing on Wednesday evening, but claimed he'd download the film in a few weeks and watch it when it is released. 'I heard good stuff from the movie,' Verstappen said. 'So, I'm sure it's going to be exciting.' The other absentee was Aston Martin driver Lance Stroll, who only arrived in Monaco on Thursday. Asked why he didn't make the screening, he said it was 'just stuff,' but he does plan to watch the film. While the drivers may be best-placed to judge the accuracy and merits of the film, they know they are not the direct target audience. The film's goal, and F1's goal, is to reach far wider, so that the 'icks' that Sainz mentioned are only picked up by a small percentage of viewers — the most hardcore F1 fans. 'Nearly all of the movie, in terms of track action and things like that, it was very original and very representative,' said Fernando Alonso. 'So that was a very good thing.' Lawson felt those who hadn't watched F1 before seeing the film would be the most impressed by the footage, which he and other drivers agree is accurate. Both Pitt and Idris trained to drive the custom-built APXGP car in real life. 'I can imagine somebody who's watching the sport for the first time, watching that movie, they're going to think it's amazing,' Lawson said. Current championship leader Oscar Piastri was impressed by the degree of realism. He cited a moment when the editors added the two APXGP cars to existing racing footage from real races. 'The CGI in a lot of areas was very convincing,' Piastri said. 'I can't give too much away, but there are some things that if you don't follow F1 fully, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference if it was real or not. Advertisement 'I think for all the people involved in F1, they'll be at least somewhat satisfied with the accuracy of all the little details.' Piastri's McLaren teammate, Lando Norris, didn't want to comment when pressed on some of the scenes involved, respecting the need not to give away spoilers. But he acknowledged it was 'a much bigger stage' for F1. 'It's a movie, it's got movie stars in it, and I think that's something a lot more historical than just a Netflix documentary,' Norris said. 'It's something that in 20 years your kids can still watch and it'll still be kind of cool.' The success of 'Drive to Survive' in bringing F1 to a new, broader fanbase has transformed the sport. To have F1 portrayed on the biggest screens, with some of Hollywood's biggest-name actors, directors and producers involved, has the potential to boost F1's popularity — especially if it can capture that intended new audience. 'Apparently they did a survey with a lot of people that hadn't ever watched a Formula One race, and after watching the film, they would ask, 'would you watch a Formula One race now?' And 100% of people said yes,' said Sainz. 'So, that just tells you how good I think it is going to be for the sport. 'Maybe I'm completely wrong. But I think it's going to do a lot of good.' (Top image: Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 / Getty Images)
Arab News
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Arab News
Brad Pitt's ‘F1 The Movie' to premiere in Abu Dhabi this June
ABU DHABI: Brad Pitt's Formula 1 film will return to Abu Dhabi for its regional premiere on June 25, ahead of its official Middle East release on June 26. Directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton, 'F1 The Movie' was partly shot at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix last year. A post shared by FORMULA 1 (@f1) The Apple Original Films production follows fictional former driver Sonny Hayes (Pitt) as he returns to Formula 1 decades after a career-ending crash, teaming up with a struggling race team and a hotshot rookie played by Damson Idris. The cast and crew will return to Abu Dhabi for the red-carpet premiere after filming 29 days across the emirate, including at Yas Marina Circuit and Zayed International Airport. The production involved 284 local crew members and 15 interns, supported by local partner Epic Films and the Abu Dhabi Film Commission's rebate scheme. A post shared by Warner Bros. (@warnerbros) Mohamed Dobay, of the Creative Media Authority, called the return 'a fitting closing moment' to a project that has made a significant impact on Abu Dhabi's creative economy. The film is one of 180 major productions supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission since 2013.
Al Etihad
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Etihad
Abu Dhabi to host regional premiere of Apple Original Films' summer event film F1® The Movie
19 May 2025 21:13 ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)Starring Brad Pitt, and hailing from director Joseph Kosinski and producer Jerry Bruckheimer, Apple Original Films' event film of the summer F1 The Movie, distributed in theaters worldwide and in IMAX by Warner Bros. Pictures, will have a 'full circle' moment when cast and crew return to Abu Dhabi for the feature film's regional premiere on 25 June, timed to coincide with the official Middle East release on June 26, partnership with Creative Media Authority and Abu Dhabi Film Commission and with the support of local production partner, Epic Films, F1 The Movie wrapped production at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December last year and now the team will return and walk the red carpet in Abu movie follows the fictional tale of former driver Sonny Hayes (Brad Pitt), once dubbed 'the greatest that never was,' FORMULA 1's most promising phenom of the 1990s until an accident on the track nearly ended his career. Thirty years later, he's a nomadic racer-for-hire when he's approached by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling FORMULA 1 team that is on the verge of collapse. Ruben convinces Sonny to come back to FORMULA 1 for one last shot at saving the team and being the best in the world. He'll drive alongside Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris), the team's hotshot rookie intent on setting his own pace. But as the engines roar, Sonny's past catches up with him and he finds that in FORMULA 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition—and the road to redemption is not something you can travel during actual Grand Prix weekends around the world, 284 local Abu Dhabi crew, led by Epic Films, joined the international production team for three separate shoots, totalling 29 days of Abu Dhabi-based production at locations including Yas Marina Circuit, Zayed International Airport and twofour54 Studios. Supported by Abu Dhabi Film Commission's rebate scheme, 15 young local interns also had the experience of a lifetime; honing their production skills on set alongside some of the world's most well-known film talent.F1 The Movie is directed by Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), who produces the feature under his Monolith Pictures banner alongside Jerry Bruckheimer and Chad Oman of Jerry Bruckheimer Films; seven-time Formula 1 world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton under his Dawn Apollo Films banner; and Pitt, Dede Gardner and Jeremy Kleiner for Plan B Entertainment. The film is made in collaboration with Formula 1, and the whole F1 community - including Formula 1 Management, the 10 teams, F1 drivers and the FIA. Academy Award-nominee Ehren Kruger (Top Gun: Maverick) wrote the screenplay based on a story by Kosinski & Dobay, Acting Director General of Creative Media Authority, said: 'We are looking forward to welcoming back the cast and crew for a fourth F1-related occasion after hosting the team on three different shoots across three years. "Not only in terms of duration but also in terms of economic impact, the 'F1 The Movie' production has made a significant difference to Abu Dhabi's creative ecosystem and to host the region's premiere as part of a global tour, this will be a fitting closing moment and celebration to the full lifecycle of the production project and our first official partnership with Apple Original Films.' Sameer Al Jaberi, Head of Abu Dhabi Film Commission commented: 'We are incredibly proud to be hosting a premiere for 'F1 The Movie' – a moment which will see many of the cast and crew return to Abu Dhabi after wrapping 29 days of production – including days at the Yas Marina Circuit. "As we continue to drive the film and TV production industry of Abu Dhabi forward, milestone moments such as premieres provide us the ideal opportunity to celebrate our collective efforts to support the visions of some of the world's leading directors and producers from Arabic, Bollywood and Hollywood within a welcoming and supportive environment.' F1 The Movie is one of 180 major production supported by the Abu Dhabi Film Commission, part of the Creative Media Authority, since the introduction of the rebate in 2013.
